SIMON Cowell’s search for Britain’s Got Talent superstars has fallen down his pecking order in favour of acts such as pole-dancing seagulls.
In its 18 years on air, his ITV variety show has unearthed stellar performers including Susan Boyle, Paul Potts and dance troupe Diversity — along with prancing pooch Pudsey.
Simon Cowell says he no longer finds ‘superstars’ on BGT after 18 years[/caption]
Now, Simon says ahead of the new series he is looking for weird talent that can create high-flying moments for YouTube.
The head judge, 65, explained: “My outlook on things has changed since series one. When I first started it was like, ‘You’ve got to find a superstar.’
“And, of course, we always hope we will find someone who’s going to have a mega, mega, mega career.
“At the same time, whether you’re in magic, comedy or dance, where else are you going to showcase yourself to a huge audience and have that kind of, what I call, a ‘moment’? No other TV show does that.”
The new series features a pole-dancer dressed as a seagull and a rock band wearing dinosaur costumes.
After years judging singers on The X Factor, Simon now loves the absurd, saying: “I laugh at weird things. I have a very strange sense of humour.
“People still think after all these years I know what’s happening during auditions but no one tells us anything. It’s that surprise element of never knowing what’s coming next.
“As much as I love music shows, you know a singer’s followed by another singer. With this show, you just don’t know.”
With Ant and Dec back as hosts, he is also delighted to again be joined on the panel by Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli — plus a new judge, YouTuber KSI.
Simon added: “Amanda is our Britain’s Got Talent queen and she deserves that crown.
“We have become great friends. I do consider her one of my best friends and Alesha and Bruno are genuinely friends in real life, too.”
- Britain’s Got Talent begins on Saturday at 7pm on ITV1.
The new series features a pole-dancer dressed as a seagull[/caption]
Dance troop Diversity won BGT in 2009[/caption]
