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Privacy NoticeBritain’s Got Talent has been a staple to our TV screens since 2007, with hundreds of unique acts trying to win a spot at the Royal Variety Performance. The ITV talent show is now in its 17th series and continues to remain a firm favourite with TV viewers. While the format of BGT has remained consistent throughout the years, the judges panel has seen numerous changes. Simon Cowell, 64, and Amanda Holden, 53, have judged every series, but the celebrities sitting beside the pair have continued to change. Currently, they sit on the panel with singer Alesha Dixon and dancer Bruno Tonioli. Initially, the show launched with Simon, Amanda and journalist Piers Morgan making up the panel. However, a totally different celebrity was actually lined up to be a BGT judge – but was replaced at the last minute.
The current Britain’s Got Talent judges panel consists of Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell
(Image: Thames/Dymond/REX/Shutterstock)
Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell made up the original BGT judges panel
(Image: TalkBack Thames)
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It was previously revealed that TV icon Fern Britton – famed for hosting This Morning – had been on the BGT panel during a pilot episode, but was replaced when the show launched. The pilot was filmed in 2005, with Fern, Piers and Simon taking on the role of judges, however the talent show didn’t launch until 2007. Claudia Rosencratz, who commissioned BGT while working at ITV, confirmed the alternative casting in an interview. Speaking to Metro, she previously said: “And I had Fern Britton on the panel, the original pilot we did. She laughs so much, and she’s a great laugher. And when Fern laughs she literally just cries and I like that, it made me laugh.” Fern, 66, was eventually replaced by Amanda – despite it being claimed on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year that Piers replaced her. The former This Morning host told her housemates about the switch up, with presenter Jordan North then telling viewers about it on CBB spin-off show Late & Live, in an exclusive behind the scenes segment.
Fern Britton was part of the original BGT judges line-up
(Image: ITV)
The switch up was also previously confirmed by late comedian Paul O’Grady, who was originally lined up to be the host of BGT. He previously told how the show was to be called Paul O’Grady’s Got Talent, but following a dispute with ITV, he quit and Ant and Dec were announced as the new presenters. “I did the pilot for Britain’s Got Talent – which was originally going to be called Paul O’Grady’s Got Talent. But I told the producers they were having a joke if they thought I would front a show with that title,” Paul, who passed away in 2023, told the Mirror in 2010. “The original panel of judges was going to be Simon Cowell, Fern Britton and Piers Morgan,” he confirmed. “Then when I had the row with ITV I was banned from the studios.”
Paul O’Grady was lined up to be the host of BGT
(Image: Getty Images)
Many celebrities have appeared as judges on BGT over the years, such as David Hasselhoff, Michael McIntyre and David Walliams. Guest judges, including Kelly Brook, Louis Walsh and Ashley Banjo have also featured on the ITV talent show. Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnBritain’s Got TalentFern BrittonHorus
