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Britain’s Got Talent filming faces ‘huge delay’ due to changing Covid rules

FILMING for the next Britain’s Got Talent is being held up for weeks because of Covid rule changes, we can reveal.

The auditions, at which Simon Cowell was to return after breaking his back, will not now go ahead next month.

Filming of Britain’s Got Talent faces a 'huge delay' due to the changing Covid-19 rules
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Filming of Britain’s Got Talent faces a 'huge delay' due to the changing Covid-19 rulesCredit: ITV

Hopeful acts due to perform in front of a socially distanced audience at the London Coliseum theatre between January 17 and 20 will have to wait at least another two weeks, a TV source said.

It follows the imposition of stringent Tier 4 restrictions across the capital.

The source said: “Covid’s causing havoc with BGT filming. The producers want to keep viewers entertained and put a smile on people’s faces but the safety of the cast, crew and contestants is the priority.

“It is at the centre of every decision.

Production of Simon Cowell's show has been halted by at least two weeks due to the pandemic
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Production of Simon Cowell's show has been halted by at least two weeks due to the pandemicCredit: ITV

“A live audience and their reaction is a vital part of the show’s success, too, so producers want to keep that element and, if it all means delays, then so be it.”

Amanda Holden, 49, a judge on the ITV show, has said its creator Simon, 61, would be back for the new season to join her and fellow judges David Walliams, 49, and Alesha Dixon, 42.

He missed the Autumn live shows after breaking his back falling off an electric bike in LA.

Hopeful acts were due to perform in front of a socially distanced audience in January
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Hopeful acts were due to perform in front of a socially distanced audience in JanuaryCredit: Rex Features
Simon was forced to miss live shows when he broke his back falling off an electric bike in LA
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Simon was forced to miss live shows when he broke his back falling off an electric bike in LACredit: BackGrid
In October just 5.8million people watched the final - the fewest in the show’s history
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In October just 5.8million people watched the final - the fewest in the show’s historyCredit: ITV
David Walliams mocks Simon Cowell's bike accident on BGT special

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