Britain’s Got Talent is back with a brand new twist.
Spin-off series The Champions will see memorable acts from previous seasons go head to head in a bid to be crowned the ultimate winner.
From this year’s champion Colin Thackery to fan favourites including Stavros Flatley and Mersey Girls, the show’s line-up has been billed as a veritable “Olympics of Talent” by ITV.
Here’s everything you need to know before the series kicks off.
How does The Champions differ from a normal series of Britain’s Got Talent?
Consider Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions as the ultimate reality TV nostalgia trip. Popular stars from past editions of the ITV show - including a handful of winners - will return to the stage and attempt to impress the judges once more.
Contestants from international versions of the talent show juggernaut will also be brought into the fold to do battle with past winners.
Plus, in a departure from the traditional BGT format, all of the shows have been pre-recorded and there will be no live episodes or viewer voting as decisions were made by the judges and audience members at Wembley Arena back in July.
Two acts from each episode will make it through to the finale: one is a Golden Buzzer act chosen by one of the judges or presenters and another voted by fans in the audience. The winner will receive the coveted Champions trophy as well as a cash prize.
Which acts will be taking part?
The first episode marks the return of Paul Potts, the winner of the first ever series of Britain’s Got Talent, as well as Boogie Storm, the dancing stormtroopers who won over Simon Cowell in series 10.
Viewers will also meet Ukrainian sand artist Kseniya Simonova and father-daughter stunt duo Bello and Annaliese Nock, who competed as solo acts in series 12 and 13 of America’s Got Talent respectively.
Other participants include series two winner George Sampson, comedian Lost Voice Guy, dance troupe Collabro and dog trainer Ashleigh Butler, who is back with her other trained dog Sully after winning pooch Pudsey sadly died in 2017.
Will the judges be returning?
Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams will all be taking their spots on the judging panel for the spin-off series.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Britain’s Got Talent without some wisecracks from Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, so rest assured that the much-loved Geordie duo are back on presenting duties.
When is Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions on TV?
The two-hour opener will debut on Saturday August 31 at 8pm, with future episodes airing on subsequent Saturdays.
