Simon Cowell Wanted Cheryl Cole for ‘BGT’—Why Amanda Holden Got the Job Instead
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Britain’s Got Talent has successfully aired on iTV for almost 18 years. Fans are now finding out that the show could’ve looked very different. Apparently, Amanda Holden wasn’t BGT’s original pick for the judging panel.
Amanda Holden Wasn’t BGT’s First Pick For Judge
Simon Cowell recently admitted that Britain’s Got Talent almost looked very different. The series, which is now judged by Cowell, Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli, almost featured The X Factor UK judge Cheryl Cole.
Cole, at the time was known as a member of pop girl group Girls Aloud, which was created through ITV’s reality competition show Popstars: The Rivals. For those who may not know, Cole became a judge on The X Factor UK with Cowell in 2008. A year later, she would launch her solo music career.
Cowell admits that they wanted to book Cole in 2007 because “she was known in those days.” Apparently, Cole accepted the opportunity, but dropped out “a week before filming” with no reason.
“I think she was freaked out. We literally had two judges and a week to book someone. I just knew it had to be Amanda because I’d met her and I really liked her, she was very funny and I just thought she’d fit the show perfectly,” Cowell said.
Now, 18 years later, Holden is still a member of the popular show’s judging panel. In addition, Cowell considers Holden “one of my best friends.”
Cowell is Thankful for BGT‘s Continued Success
The eighteenth season of Britain’s Got Talent premieres on iTV this Saturday, February 22 at 8pm. 18 years later, Cowell is thankful the show continues to bring excitement to fans’ screens.
“You always hope and pray that the casting and the people who come on the show are going to be more interesting, different and make you feel emotional,” Cowell said. “And hats off to the team, who find these people from all over the world. When I’m watching it back, you see how much it means to them. It’s a real blast.”
Cowell admits the crowd is so loud during auditions because fans often are screaming for acts to earn the golden buzzer. He admits audience participation was the reasoning behind the added golden buzzers on season 17.
Britain’s Got Talent returns to iTV on Saturday, February 22 at 8pm. This season, Cowell returns to the judging panel, alongside Holden, Dixon, and Tonioli. For some episodes, Tonioli will be replaced with guest judge KSI.
