Ant and Dec sure know how to keep things interesting on Britain’s Got Talent and this year, the pair pulled an epic prank on no-nonsense judge Simon Cowell! After embracing fatherhood with his son Wilder last spring, Ant McPartlin couldn’t wait to team up again with his co-host Declan Donnelly for some shenanigans on the show’s 18th season. This year, the dynamic duo decided to playfully decorate Simon’s car with a sticker showcasing him in quite the compromising position. “We did have a bit of a laugh at the judges’ expense,” chuckles Dec. The duo gifted the judges a Golden Buzzer-shaped mobile for each audition, featuring a cheeky tribute to BGT’s own Simon Cowell. “They were driving through Blackpool with a bit of a cheeky picture of Simon on the side, which he didn’t realise,” Dec recalls, laughing. “Everybody in Blackpool was pointing and giggling. Simon thought it was because they loved his swanky car! “. Even though known for his sharp comments, 65 year old music tycoon Simon Cowell showed his commitment to the talent contest by literally risking his neck this season. “There’s a lot of danger this year,” Ant reveals. “There was a moment this year where we were scared for Simon’s life. It was all a bit scary! ”
Simon Cowell returns to the BGT judging panel with Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and Amanda Holden
(Image: ITV)
The judging panel sees the return of Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Bruno Tonioli, but there’s also an extra treat in store. KSI, the 32 year old internet star, hops into Bruno’s seat while he’s off in the States for Dancing With The Stars, bringing fresh energy to BGT’s first round of try-outs. “He judged in a way that no judge has ever looked at the acts before,” Dec comments about their fresh addition to Britain’s Got Talent. “He brought energy, enthusiasm and a really interesting viewpoint. He looked at whether acts would work online and go viral.” Filming of the auditions this season took place at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, which was buzzing with excitement. “They’ve been very vocal,” Ant chimes in, “They really get behind the acts and they’re not afraid to have a go at the judges if they don’t agree with what they say. They’ve been like a fifth judge.” Traditional formats are set to have a twist this year, as BGT favours weekly semi-finals over the usual intensive action-packed week. This testament to flexibility shows why Britain’s Got Talent remains a hit across the globe, with streams spilling into millions on ITVX. “They always ask, ‘do you definitely not know what’s coming next and whether an act is good or not? ’. But we genuinely don’t,” adds Dec, highlighting the allure of unscripted moments. Ant & Dec’s fame transcends borders, culminating in some hilarious fan interactions – even as far away as Dubai. “I got stopped in a shopping mall by a fan who called me Susan Boyle Boy, because he recognised me from a clip,” Ant recounts with amusement. “I’ve been stopped in Australia, Abu Dhabi, the Caribbean, America. Everywhere we go we get recognised because of Britain’s Got Talent.”
