BGT 'forced to plan auditions from abroad' in order to carry on through Covid

Britain’s Got Talent might look a little different when it returns to screens later this year amid reports auditions will be held around the world rather than in London.

The upcoming 15th season of the long-running talent contest is reportedly hoping to avoid Covid related disruption by filming auditions abroad with footage being transmitted back to the judges in the UK.

BGT is well known for attracting talented performers from around the world – however, they usually have to travel to the UK to present themselves before the panel.

The 2020 series proved international interaction is possible, however, when dance group X1X Crew beamed in live from India after Covid travel restrictions derailed plans for them to appear on the BGT stage.

Now reports are suggesting that offered a testing ground for how the 2021 auditions will be held.

A source close to the ITV show told The Sun on Sunday: “It would get around the fact that acts can’t fly in to take part in the show as they normally do and mean bosses can still put on a show.

“The format has been commissioned in 58 countries so they have crews. It will have high production value and cinematic feel.”

Mirror Online have contacted a representative of BGT for comment.

The 2020 series faced huge disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The series began airing in April – but live shows were postponed as the UK entered a nationwide lockdown the month before the series began airing.

Cameras finally started rolling again in September, with a live final held in October – while a ‘studio audience’ was created during the show by beaming viewers from home onto screens behind the judges.

Auditions for the 2021 series are due to begin later this month – with the usual audition spot of the London Coliseum theatre at risk due to strict Tier 4 lockdown rules.

Judges Amanda Holden, 49, Alesha Dixon, 42, David Walliams, 49, and Simon Cowell, 61 are all said to be returning for the 2021 series.