Bradley Walsh lined up to replace Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent following star's back surgery
There will be a new face on the panelBradley Walsh is reportedly being lined up to replace Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent’s judging panel.
The Sun says the presenter and comic is set for a guest judging stint following Simon’s back operation. He would join KSI, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon on the four-person panel.
Simon Cowell has previously been replaced on Britain’s Got Talent, although Bradley would bring a very different style. The possible appointment gives viewers another notable change to the show’s familiar judging dynamic.
Bradley Walsh’s guest judge plan
Speaking to the publication, a source said: “Bradley will be a brilliant stand-in for Simon and will offer an old-school performer flavour, which will complement the rest of the cast nicely. He’s full of wisecracks and great one-liners, so should have the audience in stitches.
Bradley already has a connection with BGT winners through his Royal Variety Performance presenting work. The talent show’s winner traditionally appears in that production, which Bradley has hosted for years.
Lee Mack and Greg Davies were also considered for the temporary judging role, according to the report.
Why Simon Cowell is missing BGT auditions
The proposed switch follows Simon’s back operation and withdrawal from this set of auditions.
Simon has also faced earlier back problems after an electric bike accident in 2020. The injury required six hours of surgery and kept him away from that year’s BGT series.
Former winner Ashley Banjo temporarily replaced him on the judging panel.
In 2022, Simon said the accident had been considerably worse than many people understood at the time. He said: “I kept a lot back. It was a lot worse than people thought.”
Simon also said he had long-term nerve damage and used lockdown to rebuild strength by walking. He explained that time away from television work had supported his recovery.
When Bradley Walsh could join the BGT auditions
Bradley is reportedly set to join the Blackpool Winter Gardens auditions next month. He would appear with KSI, Amanda and Alesha while Simon sits out that part of filming.
Simon is due to film more auditions in January.
TV Guide has contacted ITV for comment.
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