This year’s Britain’s Got Talent has been axed due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been confirmed.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that producers had made the decision to postpone the series, as it would be impossible to film auditions during lockdown.
ITV has now announced that the 15th series will be delayed until 2022.
The broadcaster said in a statement: “Despite everyone at ITV, Thames and Syco doing their best to make it happen, and with our absolute priority of safeguarding the well-being and health of every person involved in the programme from judges, hosts and contestants to all of the crew and audience, the decision has been made to – unfortunately – move the record and broadcast of the 15th series of Britain’s Got Talent to 2022.
“BGT is known for its diversity of talent with big dance groups, wonderful choirs and lavish orchestras at its heart, and it has become clear that not only is it not possible to film auditions with these types of acts in a secure way but also that they are not able to adequately rehearse and prepare safely.
“Safety has to come first and, as a result, the recording of the show can’t currently go ahead as planned.”
Last year’s live semi finals were postponed from the spring to the autumn following the start of the pandemic, and were eventually pre-recorded with a virtual audience.
Comedian Jon Courtenay was voted the winner last October, taking home a £250,000 prize and a place on the bill at the Royal Variety performance.
Simon Cowell was also forced to sit out the semi finals after breaking his back in a bike accident, and was replaced on the panel by Ashley Banjo.
He had been due to return alongside Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams for auditions earlier this month, but filming was previously pushed back due to the national Covid restrictions.
Amanda hinted earlier this week that producers were desperately trying to find a way to make the series work.
Speaking on Heart Radio, she said: “I think there are still discussions going on because it’s a big old show and there are a lot of people who are employed behind the scenes so it’s one that needs to be discussed a bit more in length.
“I think the producers are very keen not to let anyone down, so I think it’s still under discussion, let’s say.”
However, she added that she did not think it should go ahead without a live audience, which she labelled the “fifth judge”.
“We need the people behind us, it’s the one show where it does kind of suffer and I’ll be honest, we’ve been told it’s on hold, but then we’ve been told something different so I think it’s fluid.”