BGT legend issues clear warning to Simon Cowell which could save series
A Britain's Got Talent legend has issued insider advice to Simon Cowell that could save future series. Paul Potts, who won the first ever series back in 2007 for his incredible singing voice.
However, he is now offering his advice back to mentor Simon as he thinks he has some ideas that could save the show from being axed in the future. He has suggested that producers make the show even "bigger" than it already is and consider adding another stage to the process.
Paul thinks his ideas would increase the standard of the acts who get involved as well as adding more wackiness. He think ultimately it would end better for those involved and give acts more visibility afterwards.
Speaking to the Daily Star reported that Paul said: "I think they could make the show bigger, if they had another proper stage in the competition. They could make the standard higher and give people more. It would give people more visibility too and would be much better for the acts.
"It would be great to have that back in the show to have some more of the fun things shown and show what the balance of the show really is – because you do get some wacky people auditioning.
"You've got to be careful how you pay them, but you could show a wider cross section of what the show attracts and the kind of talent that is out there."
Paul also explained that he thinks a wider range of talent would be found if producers went out into the community to look for people. He thinks that is is a "missed opportunity" to not go to local communities and that more talent is likely to be picked up if BGT went back to doing this again.
The singer thinks that the acts to watch this year are The Blackouts or Hear Out Voice and thinks that both will be in the top two in this Saturday's live finals. Paul is still a fan of the show that launched him into the spotlight and says he still watches from the comfort of his own home.
However, he has also said that he would like to get involved in the show again one day. He has explained that he would like to become one of the judges himself or come back for the 20-year anniversary, which will take place in 2027.
He noted that the show is "very different" from when he took part 18 years ago. However, he still looks back on his time with "fond memories" and hopes that the programme continues to go from strength to strength.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I've been on The 1% Club, Tipping Point and The Chase - here's my stern warning for anyone who makes it onto TV, plus there's an awful truth about how we get cast
A former winner of The Chase has issued a stern warning to others who make it onto television - informed by his experience on some of the UK's most popular game shows. Having also featured on The 1% Club and Tipping Point, Steven Sneade has become something of a veteran contestant. His most triumphant win came when he beat chaser Paul Sinha, aka The Sinnerman, and took home an impressive £17,000. But the 69-year-old hasn't always had such good luck. 'I was knocked out of The 1% Club on the first question,' he admitted. 'Then I just had to sit there for hours while the rest of the show was filmed.' Speaking on behalf of OLBG, Liverpool-based Steven revealed just how gruelling the interview process can be, as well as the tricky task of being 'entertaining' for the camera. 'It's a difficult one, because you've got to stand out from the crowd,' he said. 'But if that's not what you're like normally, you're not going to come across very well.' Steven warned against pretending to be someone else, arguing that both viewers and producers can smell inauthenticity. 'Trying to fake a big personality will not help,' he continued. 'If you're a naturally quieter person, trying to be an extrovert isn't going to work. It's going to come across as false.' But Steven stressed there is a balance to be found, because producers will inevitably be drawn to the most interesting contestants. 'You've got to remember that it is, first and foremost, an entertainment show,' he said. 'For ITV, it's to get as many viewers as they can. Try and see it from their point of view – what do they want? They want someone who is going to be a bit lively and a bit different.' As far as talking about yourself, Steven advised would-be contestants to sell themselves and pick out the juiciest nuggets. 'You've got to play for your strengths. If your hobby is that you play the piano, don't just say you play the piano at home - try and make it something excellent. If you once played at the Royal Albert Hall, say that.' And while Steven thinks honesty is a virtue, he nonetheless suggested embellishing the truth slightly. 'You don't always have to stick 100 per cent to the truth. They don't check up on it,' he admitted. 'It's awful, and I don't like lying, but there is something about television, it's all a bit false. Exaggerate the truth. Emphasise the positives.' The well-versed player urged applicants not to take themselves too seriously - and to prepare for the barrage of negative comments they will get. With avid game show fans picking apart their favourite episodes on social media in real time, participants have to enter with a thick skin. Steven said: 'One of the things they've emphasised on all the shows I've been on is that, sadly, you will get slated on social media when the episode is shown. You've got to be prepared to laugh at yourself.' Of his own experience applying for The Chase, Steven explained how he had to complete an online application, a phone interview and 20-question general knowledge test. What followed next was an in-person group audition with other prospective candidates held at a Liverpool hotel. 'We played a few little games, then a mock-up of The Chase. We had to do a minute piece on camera and another 20-question test.' The stakes were high, though, and only two out of ten hopeful applicants were shortlisted for the final cut. And it was a long two years before Steven even got a call back, although he had nearly been dropped owing to his previous appearance on Tipping Point. 'They don't want people being on those two programmes so close together. Apparently they get a lot of backlash for having the same people on different shows.' Steven has previously revealed why ITV bosses warn the players to not share any of their prize money with the eliminated players. Steven said: 'If you win you have to sign another contract as you're accepting money from them. 'They told us not to give money to the contestants who didn't win money just because you feel sorry for them.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Meet the BABS! Lionesses' 'Brothers and Boyfriends' group ready to roar England to glory
The boys have bonded over many years of supporting the Lionesses at major tournaments - and even have a special group chat to keep in touch After a rollercoaster tournament, the Lionesses are now a mere 90 minutes from glory - if their nerves can hold out in the Euros final. England will take on Spain inside the sold-out St Jakob's Park stadium in Basel on Sunday night at 5pm BST. Fans have flocked to the Swiss city on packed out planes after bagging last minute tickets, with many heading straight for the fan zone on Friday to soak up the atmosphere. And after two miraculous knockout victories, players' families believe the Lionesses ' mantra 'never say die' will see them bring it home again. Georgia Stanway's older brother, John-Paul said: "After the last couple of games I just can't see them losing, they're just too relentless." Speaking of the nerves at the semi-final against Italy, he added: "Even at the last second, you still felt at 94 minutes that they still weren't going to go home. It's a weird feeling, at one-nil down and you still don't feel they're ready to go home. "It's a credit to the team and everyone involved." Ranked first in the world, the Spaniards left the Lionesses heartbroken with a 1-0 victory in the Australian World Cup final of 2023. On Sunday the superstitious Lionesses wear their white shirts to play Spain - the same colour they wore when they clinched the European Championship title three years ago. And after two nail-biting games, which saw the Lionesses on the brink of eviction from the tournament, the nation, the players and their families are all hoping they can win inside 90 minutes. Stanway's dad Paul said his 'nerves were shot' after the 120 minute semi-final against Italy, while Ella Toone admitted she felt 'physically sick' watching the penalty shootout with Sweden in the quarters. But the rollercoaster of emotion has only served to bring the tight-knit players families even closer together. Ella, 25, from Tyldesley said: "We've sent them on a rollercoaster this tournament. Sometimes when you're in the moment and you're playing, you forget about how it's making your family feel and when you see them after games and you hear all the stories about how they're all jumping on each other and celebrating together, it's amazing. They've really bonded this trip." She added: "It really reminds you of why you're here and who you're here for and why you do what you do. Hopefully we can kick on in this last game and make it one for them to remember too." And so close are some of the lads following the Lionesses, that they've even got a group chat dubbing themselves 'the BABs' AKA 'the brothers and boyfriends'. John-Paul Stanway explained: "The name of our group chat which we've had for a few years is the BABs, which is the brothers and boyfriends. We've coined that phrase over the past few years and we now have a fair few of us in it, we try to keep adding to it." On Friday night the BABs enjoyed one last blowout together in Zurich as they gathered for a pub crawl before heading to Basel for the final tomorrow. Ella's boyfriend Joe Bunney, her brother Joe Toone, were pictured sinking the pints with Georgia's brothers John Paul and Sol Stanway at the Big Ben Pub. John Paul also posed up alongside the Russo clan, including Alessia's dad Mario and brothers Giorgio and Luca. When they've not been roaring the Lionesses on in the dugouts the boys have been sightseeing together and working out together. Posing topless from their early morning gym sessions, Alex Greenwood's boyfriend Jack O'Connell has also been invited into the fold of BABs this tournament. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Leader Live
a day ago
- Leader Live
Britain's Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli quits after 2 years
Bruno Tonioli, who was formerly a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, has stepped away from the role on BGT due to other filming commitments. Rapper KSI, who featured as a guest judge on this year's series, is in talks to become Bruno's permanent replacement, according to The Sun. A show insider told The Sun: 'Bruno has officially quit Britain's Got Talent and they are hoping that KSI will replace him. "He absolutely loved being on the panel with Simon, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden but Bruno just can't juggle his schedule with filming. There is no bad blood and Bruno is leaving with a smile on his face.' Bruno's ongoing commitments include US dance competition Dancing With The Stars. Earlier this week, rumours had circulated about Bruno quitting the show as a source said: "The filming schedule in 2024 meant that Bruno could get away with not being present for filming one week of auditions." "But it would be virtually impossible for him to miss two weeks, because in the final edit, that equates to half the episodes in the new three-month run of BGT, which will air from February of 2026." The 69-year-old joined the judging panel in 2023 alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, following David Walliams' departure. Newcomer KSI, born Olajide 'JJ' Olatunji, is an internet personality, musician and boxer. Recommended Reading: Who is Britain's Got Talent judge KSI? Net worth and more Simon Cowell had near-death experience in new Britain's Got Talent series ITV's Britain's Got Talent adds golden buzzer to live shows From Watford, he found his fame on YouTube through his channel KSIOlajidebt, typically through the popular football video game FIFA. He has since ventured into music, with his last album All Over The Place, debuting at number one on the UK Album Charts in 2021. KSI proved to be a massive hit with viewers when he joined the panel for BGT's Blackpool auditions this year and went on to appear at the live semi-finals.
