ITV confirms Britain's Got Talent: Live Final will be longer than most movies
ITV has confirmed the runtime for the live finale of Britain's Got Talent – so grab your popcorn and buckle in.
The long-running reality competition series – judged by Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli, KSI – is back for another year to showcase the UK's best variety acts from powerhouse singers to astonishing performance groups.
After weeks of build-up we have almost completed our line-up of finalists.
Jasmine Rice, Vinnie McKee, Stacey Leadbeatter, Joseph Charm, The Blackouts, Ping Pong Pang, Olly Pearson and Hear Our Voice are so far confirmed to be battling it out for a spot in the Royal Variety Performance and a chance to change their lives.
Now, the broadcaster has confirmed that the finale will take place on Sunday, May 31, at Hammersmith Apollo in West London.
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The runtime comes in at a huge two hours and 45 minutes (think The Lord of the Rings and Wicked: Part One). It will start airing at 7pm on ITV.
The almost-three-hour long format is similar to last year – which saw singer Sydnie Christmas crowned as the winner – which came in with a runtime close to two hours and 30 minutes.
The show has seen plenty of ups and downs as it has approached the final including act Teddy Magic, 8, pulling out ahead of the semi-final.
'After discussions with Teddy's parents and the production team, it has been jointly agreed that Teddy won't perform in this year's semi-finals, but BGT hopes to see Teddy again in a future series,' a spokesperson told The Sun.
Elsewhere, singer Max Fox, 35, from Blackpool, was eliminated following his semi-final but has teased hopes of returning to the Britain's Got Talent stage for the finale anyway.
'This might be the end of BGT for now… or maybe not – wildcard, anyone?
But whatever happens next, I'm excited for the future and all the magic still to come. The dream's not over, it's only just beginning,' he said in the caption to a recent Instagram post.
And finalist Stacey was forced to take to social media to call out trolls sharing negative comments about her. More Trending
'I have seen so many not so kind comments since waking up this morning! Which I guess is understandable, as people get upset, angry and frustrated when they don't get the results that they want.
'But please remember I am a human being and I have feelings. All the other contestants who you all supported are amazing, beyond amazing, and all deserved a spot and are now my lifelong friends,' she shared and was met with huge support from fans.
All will come to a head next Sunday as the acts put on their best performances yet for a chance to win £500,000.
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Britain's Got Talent returns this Saturday at 7pm on ITV1. The live finale will air at 7pm on Sunday, May 31.
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