Simon Cowell reveals he considered shutting down dangerous Britain's Got Talent audition involving dynamite

The terrifying stunt will be aired as part of the upcoming series of BGT 
David Walliams, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon for the 14th season of Britain's Got Talent.
ITV
George Fenwick7 April 2020

Simon Cowell says he considered calling off one particularly dangerous audition during this year’s season of Britain’s Got Talent.

Speaking about the upcoming 14th season, Cowell revealed he was roped in to be a participant during an audition by an ex Royal Marine that involved dynamite.

“I was bloody nervous because he had dynamite in his mouth and he was asking me to make a series of decisions. I was like, ‘What if this goes wrong?’” he said.

“When I have thought something might actually go seriously wrong during an act I have stood up in the past and said, ‘You know what? We’re not continuing with this’.”

Fellow judge David Walliams was also roped into a similarly dangerous audition, saying his private regions were under threat when he was called upon to assist a motorcyclist in a dangerous act.

ITV

Walliams said: “It was quite scary because I had never seen that guy before.

“I mean, I’m assuming he’s good at what he does! I was told that I had to remain completely still so I couldn’t really see what was going on because all I could do is just stare up at the ceiling.

“It was quite scary because I didn’t really know what he was doing but I just put my trust in the show that I wasn’t going to get hurt.

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“I mean I just guessed that if the producers were up for it then there was a good chance he wasn’t going to hurt me.

“But I think those moments are good because it’s fun when one of us gets on the stage because it’s intense. I guess it was pleasurable for Simon to see me in danger!”

Host Anthony McPartlin said: “That was good because we spoke to David afterwards and the guy on the motorbike was really winding him up, revving it next to his head and edging back into his privates, taunting him a bit, which was fun! I liked him!”

ITV

Speaking about the new series, hosts Ant and Dec and the judges all claimed the auditions this year feel like a return to “old school” Britain’s Got Talent.

“I think we all agreed that it felt more like they were bedroom performers, and by that we mean people rehearsing in the privacy of their own home,” said judge Amanda Holden.

“It felt more old school BGT. So, we felt like we were the audience that these people were facing for the very first time. That always feels much better to us. We welcome all talent, obviously, but we prefer unpolished talent that we can help and nurture.”

ITV

Cowell said: “I wanted it to feel more like it did when we first started, to bring it back to the Paul Potts, Connie Talbots, you know? Paul was working at a phone shop and came on to have a go, and now look at his career!

“That’s what we set out to do with this show in the first place. I personally like judging someone who has never done this before, I find the whole process more interesting. I think you relate more to people who are just out there giving it a go, 100%.”

Britain’s Got Talent returns this Saturday with pre-recorded audition episodes.

The live finals have been postponed for now due to coronavirus.

Britain’s Got Talent begins at 8pm on ITV Saturday, April 11. Additional reporting from Press Association.

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