ITV has announced that Britain's Got Talent (BGT) is facing a major shake-up for its next series.
The 2025 edition of BGT will see the show air for up to four months, as the boss of the show Simon Cowell confirmed the series would start in February instead of April.
BGT will also air every Saturday night for its new series with it previously airing on both Saturday and Sunday.
Plus, the five live semi-finals which usually take place across one week airing nightly, will now air weekly.
During the touring auditions, ITV's BGT will add an extra stop in October, starting in Blackpool.
Auditions for #BGT Series 18 are fast approaching but you've still got time to apply for your chance to be part of the action!
— BGT (@BGT) August 26, 2024
Head over to https://t.co/I8odgWBw2U to apply now. See you soon! pic.twitter.com/IAbMlthGYm
ITV confirms big changes on the way for BGT
Discussing changes to BGT, a source told The Sun: "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.”
Despite a change to the format, the judging lineup remains the same with Simon, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli all returning.
Bruno joined the ITV show in 2022 after leaving the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing which he stared on for 18 years.
RECOMMENDED READING
Full list of every Britain's Got Talent winner from Diversity to Viggo Venn
Britain's Got Talent 2024: Viewers 'losing the will to live'
The dancer took over as judge from comedian and writer David Walliams who stepped down from BGT.
The last series of BGT saw singer Sydnie Christmas wow judges and win the show after the singer sang 'Tomorrow' from Annie and gained a Golden Buzzer through judge Amanda.
Sydnie won the top prize of £250,000 and a chance to perform at the Royal Variety Show at the Royal Albert Hall.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here