Simon Cowell ‘set on fire by masked Britain’s Got Talent contestant in terrifying stunt’

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Simon Cowell ‘set on fire by masked Britain’s Got Talent contestant in scary stunt’ during London auditions

Simon Cowell has reportedly been set on fire by Britain’s Got Talent hopeful in a terrifying stunt during London auditions.

The 63-year-old television judge was brought up on stage and a magician, who was masked during the show, pulled a hood over his head.

Mirror reported that lighter fluid was poured all over the hood, then his head was encased in a box that was opened at the front for the audience to see inside.

The magician then dropped a flame into the box and his entire head caught fire, leaving the other judges and the audience in shock.

One viewer said: ‘The audience screamed, the judges were out of their seats screaming, everyone was totally stunned. The flames died down and Simon stood up in a bit of a shake, while the rest of the judges sighed with relief when he returned to the panel.

Terrifying: Simon Cowell was reportedly set on fire by Britain’s Got Talent hopeful in a terrifying stunt during London auditions

Simon then quipped: ‘I could feel fluid being poured on me, but I had no idea it was lighter fluid!’

Judge Alesha Dixon added: ‘Simon, he set your whole head on fire! It was very scary, you are a very brave man to do that. He made me realize how much we care about you, he was ready to come up and rescue you.

And new judge Bruno Tonioli said: “It reminded me of a scene from that movie, Saw, to see Simon’s head on that contraption.” He captivated me, I had never seen anything like it.

It comes after Bruno reportedly threw the Britain’s Got Talent auditions into chaos when he hit his Golden Buzzer twice before admitting he had never watched the show.

The former Strictly judge, 67, has joined the ITV talent competition panel to replace comedian David Walliams, 51, who left after he made ‘disrespectful’ comments about contestants from previous series.

Professional dancer Bruno apparently did not realize that the Golden Buzzer, which automatically sends auditionees to the live finals when pressed, could only be used once, and reacted when the audience began cheering for an impressive act.

The producers are said to have panicked after they were left with the decision to either send the contender or cancel Bruno’s second buzz.

A source told The Sun: ‘It was crazy. The buzzer worked but there was no glow in the cannon above the stage because it had already run out.

Shocking: The 63-year-old television judge was brought up on stage and a magician, who was masked during the show, pulled a hood over his head.

Shocking: The 63-year-old television judge was brought up on stage and a magician, who was masked during the show, pulled a hood over his head.

Strike a pose: The former Strictly Come Dancing judge has joined the ITV variety talent competition panel for the upcoming series (L-R: Judges Bruno, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell

Strike a pose: The former Strictly Come Dancing judge has joined the ITV variety talent competition panel for the upcoming series (L-R: Judges Bruno, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell

“A producer ran over to try to tell Bruno that he couldn’t do that.

“Then there were discussions with senior executives and Simon [Cowell]who had his head in his hands.

The source said that Bruno later admitted that he had never watched Britain’s Got Talent before, claiming that he did not want to be influenced by the judging styles of previous series.

Fortunately, the audience saw the funny side and Bruno remains on the panel as the big money new signing.

Mishap: Professional dancer Bruno did not realize that the golden buzzer, which automatically sends auditionees to the live finale when pressed, can only be used once.

Mishap: Professional dancer Bruno did not realize that the golden buzzer, which automatically sends auditionees to the live finale when pressed, can only be used once.