Michael McIntyre quits Britain's Got Talent

Michael McIntyre quits Britain's Got Talent
Michael McIntyre quits Britain's Got Talent (Image credit: Tony Ward 00447976160798)

Michael McIntyre has quit Britain's Got Talent to go on tour. The departure of the 35-year-old stand-up after just one year leaves the whole judging panel in doubt when the show returns. David Hasselhoff is said to have been axed, although ITV say officially no decision has been made, and Amanda Holden is expecting a baby, which will limit her availability. McIntyre is lining up a series of live dates for next year which could have been affected if he had committed to the 2012 series. An ITV spokesman said: "Michael was a fantastic new addition to the Britain's Got Talent judging panel. We wish him all the very best with his tour and look forward to working with him again." Show creator Simon Cowell paid tribute to his contribution. He said: "It's been amazing working with Michael - I don't need to wish him any luck with the tour because it's already gigantic." SUBSCRIBE to TV Times magazine NOW and you could save up to 29%

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.