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Inside new BGT series as Amanda Holden reveals shock acts, what fans shout at Simon & who she wants as future judges

AS the only original female judge on the Britain’s Got Talent panel, Amanda Holden could be forgiven for feeling like the show is her baby – and after 18 years it has finally come of age.

In a sign of the talent contest’s enduring success, she returns to the series as BGT prepares to expand from its usual seven weeks on ITV to a whopping three-month run.

Woman in leopard print outfit posing on a couch.
Zak Walton
Amanda Holden has been on the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel for 18 years now[/caption]
Promotional image of Britain's Got Talent judges and hosts.
ITV
This series’ panel sees Amanda, Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli joined by KSI[/caption]
Group photo of the judges and hosts of Britain's Got Talent.
ITV
Back when BGT started it was Amanda and Simon with Piers Morgan[/caption]

And just to cement itself at the heart of our entertainment world, they’ve shifted the whole BGT circus lock, stock and barrel to Blackpool.

But one thing that hasn’t changed is Amanda’s fondness for a revealing dress, including the look she wore for this year’s red-carpet audition launch.

It meant she had to brave the ­seaside town’s freezing temperatures as she bravely flashed some flesh.

Tongue placed firmly in cheek, Amanda said: “Do I want to wear a polo neck and a pair of gloves?

“No I don’t. Not on a red carpet.

“But at least I didn’t wear ­sunglasses, and everyone else did.

“It’s called fashion, darling. It was a miserable day but it’s definitely worth getting a little bit nippy for.

“Fortunately the audiences were super-warm and brilliantly up for it.

“I think we’ll be going back to Blackpool all the time.

“Even if it is freezing.

“Unfortunately my outfits don’t allow for Blackpool fish and chips either.”

The changes are all part of BGT’s evolution, which has coincided with the growth of mum-of-two Amanda’s own family and heightened the show’s importance as part of her life.

Recalling when it all started, she said: “I was stirring soup on my daughter Lexi’s first birthday when I got a call saying, ‘Do you want to come in to do this gig?’

“I was like, ‘Oh yeah, five years, that’ll be lovely’ — and now my daughter’s at university and that is the embodiment of those years.

“I do feel lucky to have hung in there for all this time.”

BGT started in 2007, which was a different era — when hardly anyone had heard of a “Gen Z audience” or the likes of TikTok and YouTube.

Now social media has ensured the show’s acts have been viewed online a staggering 24billion times, and the judges each have millions of followers.

Amanda is keen to point out that when it comes to fans following them on social media, she is neck and neck with fellow panellist Simon Cowell.

She has 2.5million Instagram ­followers, while he has 2.7million.

But at one stage it was the other way around.

Woman in pink dress emerging from a giant gift box surrounded by balloons and presents.
Amanda thinks BGT will stay in Blackpool full time
Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden, and Simon Cowell judging Britain's Got Talent.
TalkBack Thames
Amanda on the panel with Piers and Simon[/caption]

She said: “He recently realised I had more followers than he did.

“So of course he wanted to overtake me, which I think he’s done again now. That’s slightly annoying.

“But I think that’s the main reason he’s upped his game — but can he keep it up?

“I’m up there with his numbers and he can’t quite believe it.

“That’s the competitiveness in him.

“He had a person following him around filming him on their phone. I was like, ‘What is this!?’ ”

Amanda reckons Simon has also been spurred on to boost his social media standing by the arrival of new judge KSI, who stood in for Bruno Tonioli when he had to drop out of auditions for a few days to film Dancing With The Stars in the US.

Amanda said: “He was there for four days, and then when Simon left when Liam Payne passed away, KSI came back to do a couple more days that he wasn’t expecting to do.

“Obviously I should have been the one in the chair because I’m the ­oldest.”

KSI does bring with him lots of ­benefits.

For starters, his social media following dwarfs both Amanda’s and Simon’s followers put together.

‘VIRAL MOMENTS’

With a staggering 12.9million fans, it ­certainly made him an appealing new choice for BGT bosses who value their online presence as much as the TV show.

Then, when auditions began, Amanda noticed he had another amazing plus point.

She laughed: “KSI was like a rabbit out of a trap.

“He was brilliant and just ran up on stage to take part in some of the acts and it took the ­pressure off us.

“There are a couple of moments with him that I think will go viral, and Simon seems to volunteer quite often now too.

“The knife-throwing on the wheel five years ago was the start of it, and I don’t know what prompted him to do it.”

Simon was centre stage in one of the most terrifying acts to audition on this year’s show — a bloke who lies the judge down on the floor and smashes melons down around his head in rapid succession.

Amanda said: “I was genuinely worried.  This guy was obviously practised and knew what he was doing.

“But there was no leeway for mistakes.

“Simon was told to keep still, and wasn’t keeping still, and then there’s these melons being crushed all over the stage with this lump hammer.

Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli at Britain's Got Talent auditions.
PA
The judges at auditions in Blackpool back in January[/caption]

“And I’m thinking, ‘There’s no safeguard against this guy slipping on a bit of melon juice that you don’t expect to be there, because you don’t know which of the melons he was going to split.’ ”

As well as a resurgence of dance acts and one or two sensational choirs, this year’s crop of auditionees provides some of the most extreme acts in the history of BGT.

But to someone like Amanda, who has been with the show from the start, they aren’t entirely unprecedented.

She said:  “In series one there was someone with a dart board on his back and someone threw darts at him, and I will never forget that.

“Then there was this old lady who smashed concrete slabs on her neighbour’s back, which was also really bizarre.”

As well as terror, Simon also provided some of the funnier moments during auditions too, with the Blackpool audience yelling abuse at him when they didn’t approve of his comments on acts.

At points the production team had to stop filming as the crowds got wilder and louder, but thankfully Amanda, KSI, Bruno and Alesha Dixon didn’t get it in the neck.

She said: “Because Simon’s in charge they took it all out on him — they called him an old fart, they flicked the Vs at him, and then all the way through two or three acts there are these women in the ­camera shot giving him the finger.

‘FADED GLORY’

“Then, at the end of the session, they’re like, ‘Simon, can we have a selfie?’ and he’s like, ‘You’re joking, aren’t you?’ ”

Though it shocked one or two crew members who are used to more sedate London audiences, it wasn’t a ­huge surprise to Amanda.

In the Nineties she used to visit the town with her then-husband, comedian Les Dennis, and knew it when it was the centre of the ­raucous world of variety.

She said: “I feel bad for ­Blackpool because it’s faded glory up there, isn’t it?

“But in its day when I was ­married to Les he’d be doing shows at the end of the pier.

“I’ve been around for a long time in this industry and they all honed their acts in the working men’s clubs in the north with big, tough audiences to please.

“I mean, forget New York — if you can make it there you can ­literally make it anywhere.

“We’re filming the live shows in London, but I think Blackpool is the future for our auditions.”

As much as Amanda reflects on her 18 years with nostalgia, looking ahead she can’t picture herself still doing the job in the year 2043.

She said: “I cannot imagine doing this another 18 years from now. It would be perfect if we passed the baton down to our children.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we made it a family business for real?

“I think our children would jump at the chance. And there’ll be an A.I. Bruno.”

  •  Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV tonight at 7pm.

HOW WE WENT BGT POTTSY

WHEN BGT launched in 2007, it had just three judges – Simon, Amanda and Piers Morgan.

Hosted by Ant & Dec, most viewers assumed it would be similar to The X Factor.

Paul Potts singing on Britain's Got Talent.
Paul Potts, the first winner of BGT
Rex

But it was only when some of the crazier acts started appearing that audiences realised this was something quite different.

Many have now been forgotten in the mists of time, but out came baton twirlers, acrobats and tap dancers along with The Bar Wizards, who were a group of jugglers and cocktail-makers.

There was also a line dancing dog act called Mel’s Klever K9s.

There were cute moments too, including the debut of Connie Talbot, who was just six when she melted hearts with renditions of Somewhere Over The Rainbow – and bagged herself a record deal.

But the breakout star of the show was unquestionably opera singer Paul Potts, who won the first series and now appears on TV shows and in stage productions around the globe.

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Luke Littler flies home from Premier League darts to attend stadium named after him

LUKE Littler raced home from a disappointing night in Dublin to accept his finest honour yet – having a stadium named after him.

For one night only, Littler’s home-town rugby league club Warrington Wolves has renamed their ground after the world champion.

The Luke Littler Halliwell Jones Stadium, home of Warrington Wolves.
The Warrington Wolves have temporarily renamed their stadium
The Hollywood Luke Littler building.
The existing sponsor has been covered up with red tape stuck over it
Man being questioned by police officers at night.
Littler signed photographs for fans outside the stadium
Luke Littler at the Warrington Wolves Catalan Dragons game at The Luke Littler Stadium
Littler was captured walking into the freshly named stadium
Two men laughing in a locker room.
The world champion met Warrington players in the dressing room before the game
Luke Littler with his PDC championship trophy before the Betfred Super League match at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington. Picture date: Friday February 21, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story RUGBYL Warrington. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
Littler paraded his PDC championship trophy before kick-off

The Halliwell Jones fortress has become “The Luke Littler Stadium” for Wolves’ Super League home game opener against Catalan Dragons.

For the world darts champion’s name has been sprayed over its normal car dealership sponsors.

The existing sponsor has been covered up with red tape stuck over it.

Littler was captured walking into the freshly named stadium, signing photographs for fans and taking pictures with others.

After meeting Warrington’s players in the dressing room, he paraded his World Championship trophy on the pitch before kick-off and led out the sides for the Super League clash.

Warrington distributed more than 5,000 cardboard masks of Littler’s head to fans as they entered the ground.

Littler, a genuine rugby league fan and Warrington season ticket holder, said: “It will be my stadium – I just can’t wait.”

And he hopes he brings his beloved rugby league side more luck than when he was invited to watch Ruben Amorim’s sorry Manchester United troops.

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Last month, the 18-year-old paraded his World Championship trophy on a lap of honour at Old Trafford.

United failed to rise to the occasion, losing 3-1 at home to Brighton, but has landed in the VIP seats at the “Luke Littler Stadium” tonight.

The teenager dashed back over 170 miles in 24 hours after losing in the first match of the third round of Premier League darts last night.

Young fans with Luke Littler masks before the Betfred Super League match at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington. Picture date: Friday February 21, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story RUGBYL Warrington. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
And the club have distributed more than 5,000 cardboard masks of Littler heads

Littler was beaten 6-4 by Gerwyn Price and exited the quarter-finals for the second time this campaign.

He threw his darts case to the ground in anger as his hoodoo against Price continued in Dublin.

Price has now won FOUR times in a row against the world No.2 and his last defeat against the teenager was in Liverpool last April.

On Wednesday night, he fulfilled one dream of meeting American rapper Pitbull in the Irish capital – the pair have a strong link as Littler uses his Greenlight song for his walk-ons.

Last weekend, he was serenaded with chants of “There’s only one Luke Littler” by Warrington’s 1,700 travelling fans last week.

He attended the game where the Wire opened their Super League campaign with a 20-12 win at Huddersfield.

Littler is also set to be made an honorary citizen of Warrington by the council in recognition of his incredible achievements on the oche.

Premier League Darts 2025: Dates and venues

Night 1 – Belfast: Humphries beat Dobey 6-1
Night 2 – Glasgow: Littler beat Humphries 6-5
Night 3 – Dublin: Price beat Aspinall 6-3
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29

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Paige Spiranac issues four-word statement over news Hooters are set to file for bankruptcy

PAIGE SPIRANAC has issued a brief statement following the news of Hooters’ seemingly imminent bankruptcy.

The iconic sports bar and restaurant chain closed several branches in the United States last year.

Hooters restaurant near Pearson Airport.
GETTY
Iconic restaurant chain Hooters is on the verge of going bankrupt[/caption]
Woman in Hooters uniform holding a burger and curly fries.
HOOTERS
The world-famous chain could be declared bankrupt as early as April[/caption]
Three women, two in Hooters uniforms and one in a white dress, posing together.
INSTAGRAM@@HOOTERS
Social media sensation Paige Spiranac has vowed to save the struggling chain[/caption]

It’s claimed the Hooters brass are currently working with its creditors to restructure operations.

And reports state legal proceedings could get underway as soon as April.

The potential collapse of the Hotters chain has disheartened many, including glamour model Paige Spiranac.

And the former professional golf player has jokingly vowed to save the franchise, writing on X: “Not on my watch.”

Spiranac, like thousands of Hooters girls around the world, is no stranger to wowing her fans on social media.

The 31-year-old has four million followers on Instagram but initially found fame on the pro golf circuit.

Recalling her one-year stint on the pro circuit, she said: “From the start, it was a massive controversy I was there.

“There were pros, legends of the game, discussing if I belonged.

Paige Spiranac holding a golf club.
X@PAIGESPIRANAC
Paige Spiranac has a whopping four million Instagram followers[/caption]
Woman in Pittsburgh Steelers-themed bikini top.
X@PAIGESPIRANAC
The 31-year-old used to be a professional golfer[/caption]

“People were taking bets about whether I would come in last.

“I’m this kid who has no experience, no media training. I completely bombed and publicly cried about it.

“It was a s*** show.”

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