ITV have unveiled a massive format change for Britain’s Got Talent next series.
The hit show will be gracing viewers’ screens for up to four months.
The live semi-finals will now air weekly on Saturday nights, replacing the traditional nightly episodes across one week.
In addition, the show will launch in February this time around, rather than April.
This shake-up comes amid other changes to Britain’s Got Talent‘s familiar structure.
It was previously reported the show would head Blackpool to face-off with BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing.
A TV insider said: “Strictly’s annual jaunt to Blackpool is one of the show’s ‘special moments’ and is widely seen as a milestone for the contestants.
“But now that trip will be replicated by its ITV rival, there’s little doubt they’re trying to encroach on their territory.
“It’s yet another move to take on the dominance of Strictly on Saturday night telly.”
Meanwhile, producers have announced that the next round of auditions will begin in September.
A call-out to prospective acts read: “OPEN AUDITIONS ARE COMING TO LONDON!
“Whether you’re a singer, dancer or a magician, everyone is welcome at the #BGT Open Auditions.
“So come along and show us your talent at the Kia Oval in London on the 14th & 15th September.”
Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli are all returning to the panel.
Earlier this year, singer Sydnie Christmas stormed to victory to become BGT’s latest champion.
The vocalist, 29, sang “Tomorrow” from Annie in her audition, receiving Amanda’s Golden Buzzer.
Britain's Got Talent has been plagued with 'fix' rows over the years. How many of these do you remember?
Jasmine Elcock – 2016: Teenage singer Jasmine Elcock stunned the nation with her version of Cher’s Believe. But it then transpired she had already performed professionally in London’s West End. Jasmine, 14, admitted: “I’ve performed in Annie in the West End at about the age of nine or 10, but I really get nervous.”
IrShad Shaikh – 2017: BGT fans were left questioning the rule book when IrShad Shaikh auditioned. He got four red buzzers from the judges, which would usually mean an instant dismissal. Yet in a strange turn of events, they let him continue with his act…and put him through to the next round.
Colin Thackery – 2019: Elderly war veteran Colin won BGT in 2019, but there was an outcry over the final. He warbled his place to win with a version of We’ll Meet Again but fans were furious that escapologist Jonathan Goodwin didn’t even rank in the top three. Viewers felt Jonathan – who almost suffocated while being buried alive in a gravel pit – should have won.
Axel Blake – 2022: Comedian Axel Blake was given a Golden Buzzer in 2022 after making the judges laugh. But fans were fuming when they discovered Axel already had a show on worldwide streaming platform Amazon Prime. Despite this, Axel still went on to win the series.
Loren Allred – 2022: The 2022 series of BGT was hit with another controversy when singer Loren Allred also received a Golden Buzzer. She performed Never Enough from the smash hit musical movie The Greatest Showman and got a standing ovation. It later transpired Loren was actually the original voice behind the track.
Taryn Charles – 2024: Singer Taryn Charles is one of this year’s hopefuls lucky enough to receive the Golden Buzzer. Bruno Tonilio put her straight through to the semi-finals following her performance of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin, but it has now come to light that she is no stranger to TV. Viewers recognised Taryn from an episode of ITV1’s Starstruck, where she impersonated Whitney Houston for judges Olly Murs, Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert and Beverley Knight.
In the third semi-final heat, Sydnie performed Paul Anka’s “My Way” to qualify for the final.
She triumphed over magician Jack Rhodes to take home the top prize of £250,000 and a spot on the Royal Variety Performance bill.
Who will be crowned as the next winner of BGT?
Britain’s Got Talent airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.
