Britain's Got Talent – ITV

Britain's Got Talent
(Image credit: ITV)

The nations’s favourite talent show returns to brighten up Saturday nights as Britain's Got Talent – and co-host Ant McPartlin – are back!

The nations’s favourite talent show returns to brighten up Saturday nights as Britain's Got Talent – and co-host Ant McPartlin – are back!

It’s time to honour all manner of amazing singers, entertaining pets and everything in between as Britain’s Got Talent returns for its 13th series this week, to take us through to early June.

As the auditions kick off, Ant McPartlin re-joins his mate Declan Donnelly as co-host (having missed the live shows last year for well-publicised reasons), and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon have toured the UK to hunt out the most talented performers our country has to offer.

The audition circuit kicks off at the London Palladium, and Ant’s obviously been hugely missed as he walks out on to the stage to a standing ovation from the crowd.

‘I’m really, really emotional now. I’ve missed you all,’ says Ant, fighting back tears as Dec hugs him.

‘What a lovely welcome! I’m thrilled; I’m over the moon. Shall we crack on before I cry?’

So who will the judges think has got what it takes to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner, comedian Lost Voice Guy, and bag a £250,000 cash prize and a spot at this year’s Royal Variety Performance?

Britain's Got Talent

The judges – and Ant and Dec – are glad to be back! (Image credit: ITV)

Here, Amanda, 48, tells TV Times why this series will be well and truly spook-tacular…

BGT is as popular as ever. What do you think is the secret to its success?

The show entertains the whole family. What can’t you love about that? It’s for all generations and all ages.

Has anyone put you on the edge of your seat so far this year?

Oh my God… There was this female magician who scared the life out of me! She had me down in the underbelly of the London Palladium and it was so scary.

The act was horrifying and being in the basement of the theatre where I’d never been before, despite all my years performing there, was truly terrifying. The Palladium is a majorly haunted theatre, so I’m like, ‘Who else is floating around? Don’t touch me!’

I won’t give too much away, but I was terrified.

Have there been any major disagreements between the judges yet?

Boringly no. We’ve all been on the same page this year with what we’re looking for. By total chance, things have gone a little supernatural. It’s amazing television.

From what you’ve seen, has Britain still got talent?

Yes! Britain is never going to run out of talent and we need to celebrate it as much as we can.

TV Times rating: ****