How does it feel to be back with the gang?
It feels amazing. It felt really special and emotional. We were all excited and it just had that kind of spark in the air where everybody was so grateful to be there – after the past few years being away from each other. It was emotional because we all realised how much we’ve missed the show and how happy we are to be back, it makes it all worthwhile.
How did it feel not doing the show last year?
Well, it was strange not doing the auditions in the January, that was really, really bizarre! I missed having that routine but like everyone I just cracked on with things, you make the best of a bad situation. So aside from setting up my own business, I really enjoyed the quality time with my children. I’m very resilient like that and I’ll always get on with things, but I definitely missed the tradition of seeing the gang in January, because that’s been our normality for so long.
Do you think you judged differently as a result?
I think it’s a bit of both, feeling like you want to cut them all a bit of slack, but also being a bit tough because you know what you want, you want the best of the best. As an example, if we’ve seen some great dance acts, other dance acts can come along, they’re perfectly okay, but you are actually looking for greatness. So, you are a bit tougher on them maybe than you normally would’ve been. And then also, on the flip side, there’s the empathy aspect of it, where you are thinking about their life, their story, their journey, what they’ve been through, where they are at in themselves right now. So, there’s a huge amount of sensitivity towards them as performers and entertainers. It’s like you’re looking for greatness whilst also having complete compassion and empathy for the performers and their livelihood.
Have you got any idea why it works so well?
Truthfully? I’ve thought about it, I think at the heart of it, it comes down to our sense of humour and our professionalism as well. At the end of the day, all of us, Simon included, have a cheeky sense of humour. We get the show, we understand the serious side of it, the importance of it, but the silliness and the laughs, and the balance that needs to be had. We genuinely enjoy being in each other’s company and enjoy working together.
Do you think fans missed the show as much as you guys did?
Yeah, it was a very, very strange time. It’s one of these feel good shows that tries to make everybody smile – a distraction. It’s so fun and heart-warming which makes it the perfect tonic for anybody that just wants a bit of escapism.
Do you think taking a break last year has made a difference to the show?
It’s really refreshed everything, having a little bit of a break, because the acts have come out more determined, passionate, and it means so much more to them. Everybody that works on the show has missed it so much and was so grateful to be back and doing what we love, and there was a lovely energy in the air. It was such a brilliant atmosphere.
How has it impacted the contestants?
I think that the talent having a bit of a break has meant that people have more time to work on their act. And actually, there was a contestant who said, ‘I was supposed to come on the show last year when it was cancelled, and actually having that extra year to really work on my act has been really good.’ You also hear stories about acts coming out that have come up with these crazy ideas during lockdown, and I love those stories.
Do you think the standard is higher than ever this year as a result of all that?
At the deliberations we had over 90 acts that we had to get down to 35. After we said yes to our semi-finalists we looked at the pile of acts that were left, we all said, ‘This is probably the strongest ‘no’ pile we’ve ever had, any other year there’s a couple of winners in that group.’ I think it’s testament to how good everyone is this year that a lot of the people that didn’t make it through may have got through in other years and even won. So it’s heart-breaking from the point of view that a lot of talented people haven’t made it, but it’s really positive for the show, in that we’ve been spoiled for choice.
Was there any particular type of talent that you were hoping to see this year?
Maybe in the first few years when I joined the show, I was more interested in singers, dancers, because that was my field and made more sense and felt familiar. But I’ve learned to embrace all kinds of acts over the years and can equally be as excited by a brilliant comedian or ventriloquist, or whatever. I appreciate all types of varieties. So going into every series, I’m more open to being surprised. Having seen a lot, it’s really now, “Okay, we’ve seen the best of the best”, and now we need someone to come out and show us that people can continually learn how to create something new and do things that take your breath away and make you say the words, ‘Wow. I’ve never seen that before.’ So I think that’s more the angle I’m coming from. If they are great dancers, for example, coming out and doing a good dance routine, even for me as a fan of dance, it’s just not enough anymore, because I’m now looking for imagination and the creativity behind it and something that makes it stand out and special.
Fans are going to meet Attraction Juniors this series, what did you make of them?
It was lovely to see them because it reminded us just how much we loved Attraction the first time we saw them. I think it’s fantastic to see his son carrying that legacy on, it’s lovely. We’ve had that with Diversity too on a previous series, it’s always so lovely to see the next generation flying the flag and carrying on the work of the greats that came before them. So I loved that and it was a really nice surprise and a great idea. I always love seeing young people just doing something creative and something brilliant.
Simon was convinced Britain’s Got Talent has had its first ghost audition for the show!
Yeah, there was an act that came out, didn’t speak, we couldn’t see him, he was invisible, or as Simon thought, was our first ghost! That was shocking. I don’t even know what happened. I can’t wait to watch that back on the TV, just to watch it again, because there was so much going on! I think that was the first ghost we’ve had on the show!
That act made Amanda go to sleep on stage during the act, how was she when she got back to the panel?
Well, I couldn’t work it out, because usually she tells me everything. And the fact that she’s saying to me, ‘No, I wasn’t asleep,’ and I’m going to her, ‘Yes, you were. You were asleep.’ So we had this confusing conversation where she didn’t know what I was talking about, I thought she was winding me up, I didn’t know what was going on. To this day, I still don’t know if the joke is on me or if it was genius. So we’ll see!
Did you have an idea in your head what you were going to press your Golden Buzzer for?
I didn’t have an idea, and I never do, because we always say the Golden Buzzer has to be an instinctive feeling in the moment, you can’t overthink it, when you know, you know. I nearly pressed my buzzer for Ant and Dec’s Golden Buzzer and Amanda’s Golden Buzzer. And then I ended up being the last person to press the buzzer. So then there was a lot of pressure because then every single act that was good, the audience was shouting, ‘Press the gold! Press the gold!’ You know, you are listening to the audience, but at the same time, you are having to talk yourself into it. I always believe the act that you press it for has to be your decision because you just get that feeling. But going last is not fun. And then it’s coming down to the wire and you’ve got the last day of auditions, I just thought, ‘I can’t be dealing with that pressure!’ But thankfully, the last audition day, I pressed my buzzer for an act that I was really pleased with. I thought they were really fresh. They were a great duo. Their song was really contemporary and they had something to say. I think that they will tick a box that an audience would appreciate and love seeing an act like that on the show. So I’m really pleased with my buzzer. I’m excited for them to have their moment during the live shows. I hope they come with a great song, a great theme, make an emotional connection with the audience and do themselves proud. It’s a brilliant opportunity and platform for them. So I’m over the moon for them.
