‘Let the fight begin’ BGT judges warn ‘there will be arguments’ as they prepare to whittle down acts

Britain’s Got Talent star Alesha Dixon has warned that ‘there will be arguments’ among her fellow judges as they prepare to whittle down the acts.

In a first look at a one-off special ahead of the semi-finals, Alesha, Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Amanda Holden reunite, where they have the tough job of cutting 200 acts down to just 40.

And as ever at this stage, things will do doubt get tense as the judges battle it out to put their favourites through, with Alesha, 41, declaring ‘let the fight begin!’ 

The special show, Britain’s Got Talent: The Finalists Revealed, is set to air on Sunday night and will show the judges making their final decisions. 

This will be followed by the first of five pre-recorded live semi-finals, kicking off on Saturday 5th September. 

Filmed back in February, the clip sees the four judges dressed to the nines as they come together to make the huge decision ahead of the semi-finals.

They will be tasked with picking just one act from each show to go through to the grand final, with the viewing public then picking the other act once the show is broadcast.

Expressing the importance of the choices they will make, Amanda, 49, said: ‘Deliberation day for me never gets any easier.

‘We’re making or breaking people’s dreams.’

While Alesha predicts fireworks as she added: ‘Today is a day of tough decision, it’s the day I dread the most, I know for a fact that we’re going to have arguments’. 

Teasing that she and her fellow judges will no doubt butt heads of the decision, she declared: ‘It’s going to be a long day, let the fight begin!’ 

Following the semi-finals, the live final will air albeit with some big changes, most notably the absence of music mogul Simon, who is recovering after breaking his back in a shock bike accident.

He’ll be replaced by Ashley Banjo, with he Diversity star, 31, – who won the ITV show in 2009 with his dance troupe – taking up the new role for the first semi-final. 

Simon told The Sun: ‘Ashley will be a fantastic addition to the panel. He knows the power of the show and the responsibility of it. 

‘I couldn’t think of a better person to sit in my seat whilst I follow doctor’s orders. I hate that stupid bike.’

Clearly excited about his judging gig Ashley added: ‘As if 2020 couldn’t get any crazier! Walking on that stage as a 20-year-old street dancer from East London and now I am walking out there and stepping in for the big man.

‘It feels really nice, almost poetic.’ 

Entertainment mogul Simon broke his back earlier this month after falling from his new Swind EB-01 bike at his Malibu home.

Although it had been hoped that Simon might be able to appear via video call for the already delayed shows, it has now been confirmed that he will not be seen at all.

A source told The Mirror: ‘It was decided that the idea of having him judge the BGT finalists via a link was just not feasible – nor sensible.

‘Everything is fixed, he just needs healing time. Flying halfway across the world is not part of the plan and he has agreed to put his health first.’

The shows have already been hit by delays due to coronavirus restrictions. Although the audition episodes were shown in April the live finals had to be postponed.

Filming has also been changed to ensure that crew and acts can remain socially distanced and there is going to be a virtual audience.

Now instead of live shows, the episodes will be pre-recorded and shown in what would have been The X Factor’s prime-time Saturday night slot.

Britain’s Got Talent: The Finalists Revealed will air from 6:30pm to 8pm on ITV. followed by the first pre-recorded semi-final on Saturday 5th September at 8pm.