Britain’s Got Talent‘s Simon Cowell has set the record straight on co-star Bruno Tonioli‘s future on the show following rumours he’s set to be replaced.
Cowell was interviewed by fellow judge Amanda Holden and her Heart radio co-host Jamie Theakston on their Breakfast show about media reports suggesting Tonioli won’t return for the 2025 series.
“It seems right to discuss the future of the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel…,” Jamie begins before reading out the newspaper headline: “Britain’s Got Talent set to drop judge Bruno and hire comic Alan Carr.”
The radio presenter barely finished reading the headline before Simon interjected with a firm “No”.
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“I don’t know where all this stuff comes from,” Simon continues. “I spoke to the producers literally two weeks ago about it. There is a scheduling issue with Bruno because we’re doing some of the auditions this year and he’s going to be in America.”
The show creator added that as a result there may be a “stand in” for Bruno during his filming conflict. He then went on to praise the former Strictly Come Dancing star’s contribution to the talent show.
“I love Bruno on this show,” he adds. “I think he’s brilliant and he knows so much about what he’s talking about.
“Sometimes when people are singing a certain kind of music he’s like talking so eloquently and I’m thinking actually he’s a brilliant, brilliant judge, and the nicest person. So no I would not replace him. He’s coming back.”
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Amanda similarly shared her compliments of co-star Bruno, agreeing: “He brings such an amazing energy and he knows so much.”
Simon, Amanda and Bruno were three of the four judges on the panel for this year’s series alongside Mis-Teeq singer Alesha Dixon.
Singer Sydnie Christmas walked away as Britain’s Got Talent’s 2024 winner this month, impressing with her performance of ‘Over the Rainbow’ in the live final, which received a standing ovation from all judges.
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