Amanda Holden leaves Britain Got Talent in chaos for second year in a row after breaking another major rule
BGT bosses seem more relaxed about the rules being blurred since Bruno’s misbehaviour
LAST year it was new boy Bruno Tonioli who broke the first rule of Britain’s Got Talent and hit his golden buzzer twice.
This year his fellow judge Amanda Holden decided she would get in there first – and did the same thing.
She was so blown away by a comedy act at the Manchester auditions she hit her golden buzzer and sent him straight through to the semi-finals.
Trouble was, she had already done the same for a musical theatre singer at a previous audition.
Simon Cowell and the other BGT bosses seem a lot more relaxed about the rules being blurred since Bruno’s misbehaviour on his debut.
But Simon might be less laidback if Amanda’s chosen act – a Japanese man who did impressions using his hair – actually won the contest.
Imagine introducing him on the Royal Variety Show.
It comes after more buzzer mayhem at the launch auditions.
I revealed how Simon, Amanda and Bruno sent three of the acts sailing through to the live show by pressing their golden blobs within the first twenty acts.
The buzzer had historically been saved for the cream of the crop – with each panellist given the opportunity to press it once.
A TV insider told me: “Bruno was almost moved to tears watching his golden buzzer dance act – and was first to slam down on the button so hard that it cracked.
“He was shortly followed by Simon, who sent a Japanese dance act through to the live shows.
“And finally, Amanda was impressed by a female theatre singer that she was keen to give a shot in the live rounds and was last to press the buzzer.”
But if Simon’s opening words are anything to go by – they might have scrapped the one-buzzer rule entirely.
He told the crowd at the London theatre: “I’m very excited, we don’t know who is going to come on and we’ll meet people together.
“This year there’s just one rule: be as naughty as you want.”
You might regret saying that with Bruno around, Simon.
Best Britain's Got Talent golden buzzer contestants
Some of Britain’s Got Talents most memorable golden buzzers include:
- Calum Scott – Simon’s choice, series nine
- Marc Spelmann – Ant and Dec’s choice, series 12
- Boogie Storm – Simon’s choice, series 10
- 100 Voices of Gospel – Alesha’s choice, series 10
- Honey and Sammy – Amanda’s choice, series 14
- Kojo Anim – Simon’s choice, series 13
Joshing about
WITH The Traitors finished and the Celebrity Big Brother reboot weeks away, Channel 4 has somehow created a blend of both shows.
The result is Josh Must Win — a reality TV show within a psychological, strategy gameshow.
The project has been in the works since last summer but bosses feel there is a big demand for quirky new formats following the success of BBC’s The Traitors.
Its foundation is a fake show called The Favourite, in which a larger-than-life cast of ordinary people compete to be most popular.
What the group doesn’t know is that a second show is running alongside it — staffed by show host Nick Grimshaw, plus celebs Pete Wicks, Amber Gill and Vicky Pattison — and this is where the strategy comes in.
Throughout the eight-part series, the stars must do everything they can to ensure one particular man among the Favourites’ contestants leaves victorious.
A TV source said: “This buy-one-get-one-free show is a format unlike anything we’ve seen before.
“The Traitors has shown how something a little more intellectual, offering a twist on the standard reality genre, can really fly.
“Bosses hope Josh Must Win will similarly shake things up and capture viewers’ imagination.
“The celebs were spotted filming as long ago as April last year when the project had the working title Alan Must Win but things have moved on since then.
“The celebs will do everything they can to influence the game — by setting tasks, introducing twists and using all they’ve learnt about reality shows and popularity to ensure Josh’s triumph.
“Of course the bigger picture is a look at what it takes to be popular today.
“Is it the dry wit of Big Brother winner Jordan Sangha? Or the baby-faced innocence of The Traitors’ Harry Clark?
Other star names will pop up during the series, including Towie’s Gemma Collins.
Josh Must Win launches next month on E4.
LEE MACK’s ITV game show The 1% Club returns on February 17 for a third series.
Lee said: “I’m delighted to again cause household arguments, as kids mock their parents for being not as bright as them.
“But us grown-ups can stay out as late as we want, so we get the last laugh.”
NOEL’S BLACK COMEDY
NOEL FIELDING has drawn inspiration from classic British comedies for his new show, The Completely Made Up Adventures Of Dick Turpin.
After unveiling the cheeky trailer yesterday, the comic told how the show has the “spirit of” Seventies and Eighties faves Monty Python and Blackadder.
Discussing the Apple TV+ six-part series, which airs on March 1, Noel said: “It’s quite quirky and British in a way. Blackadder was a reference point and there’s a few other things that are quite eccentric.
“It goes back to, you know, nonsense. I always think the Python, they’re all geniuses. They’re our heroes.”
If that all sounds a little old-fashioned, then Noel has a modern twist up his sleeve.
He added: “In England, Dick is as famous as Robin Hood, but we’re aware that in America, most people haven’t heard of Dick Turpin.
“So, we’ve reimagined him as a sort of inclusive, pacifist. He’s a vegan.”
MICHAEL SHEEN’s gritty new drama The Way airs on February 19 at 9pm on BBC One.
The three-parter is the actor’s directorial debut and follows the Driscolls, a family caught up in a civil uprising.
They are forced to escape the country and forge a path towards an unknown future.
NORTON NOT OFF THE TV
THEY say too much is never enough – a theory Graham Norton seems keen to test with his latest venture.
He is launching The Graham Norton Channel, where back-to-back episodes of his talkshow will play 24/7 on Samsung TV Plus.
There will be interviews with the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Ryan Gosling, Rihanna, Tom Hanks, and many more from his 16 years of chatting to the stars.
Graham said: “When you hear a star tell a great tale with a good beginning, an exciting middle, and most importantly a hilarious ending then they’re always welcome on my sofa.
“It makes my job so much more enjoyable.”
The new channel is free on any Samsung devices.