Britain’s Got Talent is about to return to our televisions.
This month, the iconic ITV talent show returns for its 16th season, promising a magnificent final prize for one of Britain’s most gifted individuals.
Since its inception in 2007, the event has helped launch the careers of a number of well-known talents, including dance company Diversity and global phenomenon Susan Boyle.
Hundreds of dancers, singers, comedians, and magicians – some not even human as pets take the stage – will perform for viewers, with the judges hoping to unearth a hidden gem.
Are you looking forward to the return of the popular show? We are as well.
Everything you need to know about the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent is right here.
When does Britain’s Got Talent start?
Viewers will not have to wait long for the latest episode of BGT.
The show will return with a double bill next weekend, beginning on Saturday, April 15 at 8pm on ITV.
The following episode will be broadcast at 7.45 p.m. on Sunday, April 16.
Those who are unable to watch live will be able to catch up on the action on ITVX.
Who are the judges?
Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Alesha Dixon will return to the panel, along with newcomer Bruno Tonioli, who will take over for long-serving judge David Walliams.
It will be the first series without the Little Britain comedian, who left the programme after leaked tapes revealed his nasty statements about candidates.
He later apologised for his remarks before it was announced that he would not be returning.
Who will host?
Ant and Dec, the hosts of I’m A Celebrity, will return to headline the talent programme.
Following Walliams’ departure, the two had stated that they were ‘apprehensive’ about returning to the show.
‘We text a lot, we see him socially, so we were really kind of apprehensive about starting this new series,’ he told Huff Post UK.
‘But on the first day of auditions, we thought, “we’ve got to just treat Bruno like the new guy and be kind to him”. And he was really nervous.
‘We spoke to him just before, and he said, “I can’t tell you just how nervous I am”, which surprised us because he’d done Strictly, he’s on Dancing With The Stars in America still… he’s no stranger to big TV shows.
‘So I felt sorry for him, but I thought it showed real humility. And we were just kind to him. We laughed at him when he made mistakes, but tried to show him the ropes a bit.’
What do we know about the contestants?
Nothing is known about the acts competing for the top slot this year, but ITV has promised a programme that will be “bigger and better than ever before,” featuring “jaw-dropping acts.”
The bosses have also promised’more Golden Buzzer moments than any season previously,’ so we should expect some spectacular performances.
For the first time since the Coronavirus epidemic, auditions for the programme were held in London and Manchester, with thousands of hopeful candidates attending in the hopes of landing a slot.
What is the prize?
The BGT winners receive a financial award as well as the opportunity to perform on a large stage at the Royal Variety Performance.
When the show began, the first-place winner was presented with a £100,000 check.
The prize money has been sitting at £250,000 for the past few episodes, but it reached a stunning £500,000 in 2012.
In addition to the financial reward, the winner will be recognised at the annual Royal Variety Performance, which is attended by senior members of the Royal Family.
Who won Britain’s Got Talent 2022?
Last year’s BGT winner was Axel Blake, a comedian from West London.
After getting the Golden Buzzer from judge Simon Cowell, the former property maintenance manager advanced to the live shows.
Maxwell Thorpe, Jamie Leahey, Ben Nickless, Flintz and T4ylor, Tom Ball, Eva Abley, Loren Allred, 5 Star Boys, and Aneeshwar Kunchala were among the nine finalists.
After Ant and Dec announced his name, the comedian was struck speechless, stating, ‘I’m shaking, thank you everyone for voting for me…’ I still can’t believe it.’
Britain’s Got Talent returns on Saturday April 15 on ITV and ITV X.