The search for Britain's next biggest star - or stars - ramps up as Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV after two long years.
The 2020 series was interrupted by the pandemic, with semi-final shows getting postponed to September from the original May air date. The shows ultimately ended up being pre-recorded in front of a virtual audience, with some acts performing via video link.
Following this, last year’s edition of the talent show ended up being cancelled completely. Now that Britain’s Got Talent is returning, here’s everything you need to know including the BGT start date and who’s on the judging panel.
When does Britain's Got Talent start this year?
No air date has been confirmed for Britain Got Talent so far. However, we know that filming for this year's show has already begun, with auditions already taking place at the London Palladium. So viewers can expect to the see the popular show sometime in the spring.
Presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly have said that they were thrilled to be back hosting the show.
Ant told those in the audience at one audition: "Excuse me while I go and cry. We are so excited to be back. We were gutted to miss last year and not get to see you all. But we’re back, raring to go and have one hell of a show for you."
Who is on the Britain's Got Talent judging panel?
Though the talent show sometimes switches up its line-up of judges, the 2022 edition will see the return of all-familiar faces in the judging panel.
Long-standing judge Amanda Holden is back alongside comedian and author David Walliams, singer Alesha Dixon and music mogul Simon Cowell.
There hasn't been any change to the judging panel in 10 years, after former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan left the line-up in 2010 after being part of it for three years.
He was replaced by former actor David Hasselhoff and then by Michael McIntyre in 2011. But both were only panellists for one series, being replaced by Walliams and Dixon for the start of the sixth season in 2012.
The judges have all expressed their excitement at being back on the hit show, with Cowell saying: "I'm so excited we're back! I can see people! I feel emotional."
Holden added: "I feel really choked up. It's so great to see you all."
Can audiences can get tickets to Britain's Got Talent?
You can sign up for tickets to be in the audience with the judges for the auditions. The minimum age limit to be part of the audience is 12+ and all under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
If you'd like to put yourself forward for auditions, applications are still open until on January 25 2022 at 23:59 GMT.
