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Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BGT winner calls for U-turn on 'lazy' part of show after major change-up
BGT winner calls for U-turn on 'lazy' part of show after major change-up EXCLUSIVE: Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts says the change-up put in place this year "doesn't help with the diversity and range of acts" and called for a U-turn Simon Cowell reportedly 'gave the green light' to the auditions change-up Britain's Got Talent's first ever champion Paul Potts has urged the show's producers to re-evaluate their choice of auditioning exclusively in Blackpool. This season, auditions were solely filmed at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool unlike previous years where venues, such as the London Palladium, have been used. A source told TV Zone regarding the new format: "The Palladium is such an iconic venue but if you compare the shows in Blackpool to the ones they have filmed in London, the audience is way more up for it there. The auditions resume in the new year and they'll all be filmed up in Blackpool. "Boss Simon Cowell has given the green light to the move and just wants the show to be the best it can be." Paul, 54, has criticised the altered approach to the audition process, describing it as "lazy". When asked if he believes Britain is running out of talent for the show, he shared: "There's absolutely no shortage of talent in Britain, [there's] plenty of untapped potential out there. Article continues below "But the show needs to be more flexible in how it finds and selects that talent. "Just sticking to Blackpool for auditions this year felt, frankly, a bit lazy. I understand that it might have been a cost-cutting idea, even though securing the ballroom wouldn't have come cheaply, however, the limited outreach doesn't help with the diversity and range of acts," he added in association with Sky Vegas. PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 17: Paul Potts arrives at "America's Got Talent: The Champions" Finale at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on October 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by) The tenor has since called for the production team to reverse their decision and "get back out on the road" to "really engage with people" and uncover "fresh, authentic talent". "And like I've said before, if they want to breathe new life into the show, let's do something bold. Make Blackpool a Vegas-style call-back round. Turn it into a proper second stage, not just a shortcut to the live shows," he continued. "That way you can really test and find the best acts." Paul added: "Britain has amazing talent – there's no question. But if we're seeing acts in the semi-finals that are getting three red buzzers, we have to ask, what are we doing? You start to risk the credibility of the show.' Tonight, the last remaining two acts will be selected for the upcoming final. Those who win the public vote and final golden buzzer will join; singers Hear Our Voice, Jasmine Rice, Stacey Leadbetter and Vinnie McKee, comedian Joseph Charm, dance group Ping Pong Pang, guitarist Olly Pearson and LED show act The Blackouts. On how he believes the final is shaping up currently, Paul warned singers about "a real risk" when it comes to song choice. "It's fairly finely balanced at this stage, but there's a real risk, as I've said before, the singers could end up cancelling each other out," he shared. "We've got a couple of crossover singers going through, but some of the repertoire decisions across the board have felt a bit off. I'm all for hearing something fresh and unexpected, songs that haven't been done to death, but it also needs to be right for the artist. It has to showcase their strengths." Article continues below Britain's Got Talent continues tonight at 7pm on ITV and ITVX.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV show You Bet set to make major format change after Holly Willoughby exit
ITV bosses confirmed the return of legendary gameshow You Bet but it will now be filmed from different locations around the UK following Holly's Willoughby's exit Following the announcement that Holly Willoughby will not be co-hosting the ITV gameshow You Bet alongside Stephen Mulhern, bosses have now decided to shake up the format. Now, each of the seven episodes including the Christmas special will take place in different locations around the UK, following the positive response by viewers on it's relaunch last year. A spokesman for ITV said: "Free from the restrictions of the studio - our epic challenges are about to get a whole lot bigger. Watching on, our celebrity panel's job is simple; they must decide if each challenger will succeed - Yes or No. If they guess correctly, they'll be awarded points." The spokesman added: "The Celebrity with the most points at the end of the show will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity." The show is also set to undergo a re-name and will now be titled You Bet! On Tour. In March, it was confirmed that Holly would not be returning to the show. A spokesman for ITV told TV Zone: "Unfortunately Holly couldn't commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series." The original show from the eighties saw a members of the public take on a series of challenges as a panel of celebrities gambled on them guessing the outcome correctly. Celebrity guests include comedian Rob Beckett, Alison Hammond, Harry Redknapp and Rosie Ramsey. One of the challenges saw one couple identify the different type of cactus just by licking them. The show first aired in the late 1980's until 1997 and had a few high profile names present the show, such as the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, Matthew Kelly and Darren Day. Stephen will now host the show by himself. This was Holly's first show since leaving This Morning in October 2023. At the time Holly released a statement that read: "I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning." Posting her statement on social media, she added: "It's been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much." Thanking her colleagues, she continued: "This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you," she said. Holly added: "Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day."
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Stephen Mulhern's You Bet confirmed to return to ITV but there's a MAJOR twist – as Holly Willoughby leaves as co-host
STEPHEN Mulhern's gameshow You Bet! WILL return to ITV - but with a major new twist. TV presenter Stephen, 48, will present solo when the revamped series returns later this year after it was revealed co-host Holly Willoughby had quit the show in March. 4 You Bet! will return for another series but with a MAJOR twist Credit: PA 4 The new format will see the show go on the road and filmed in different locations Credit: PA 4 Holly Willoughby will NOT be returning to the series Credit: PA ITV confirmed You Bet! will be back with new episodes following the successful relaunch last year, but with a new format change. It has been revealed that the show which saw competitors take on strange challenges will be taking it on the road. Each of the seven episodes, including a Christmas special - will take place in a different iconic locations around the country. An an ITV spokesman said: "Free from the restrictions of the studio - our epic challenges are about to get a whole lot bigger. "Watching on, our celebrity panel's job is simple; they must decide if each challenger will succeed - Yes or No. If they guess correctly, they'll be awarded points. "The Celebrity with the most points at the end of the show will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity." The show will be re-named You Bet! On Tour for the new series. In March it was revealed Holly would not be returning to the show. An ITV spokesman told TV Zone: "Unfortunately Holly couldn't commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series." You Bet! given second series by ITV bosses - before reboot with Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern has even aired The iconic 80s gameshow featured ordinary people taking on a range of bizarre challenges as a panel of celebrity guests gambled on their success. Rob Beckett, Alison Hammond, Harry Redknapp and Rosie Ramsey made up the star gamblers as contestants vied for a £10,000 prize. Challenges included one couple identifying different types of cactus just by licking them. Another challenge was identifying different board games by the sounds they make when they are emptied from their boxes. The likes of Bruce Forsyth, Matthew Kelly and Darren Day previously fronted the show on their own. You Bet! was a homecoming for Holly as she returned to ITV with her first new format since she left This Morning. It was hoped the show would cement her partnership with Dancing on Ice co-star Stephen Mulhern as the new golden hosting couple of the most popular commercial broadcaster.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Stephen Mulhern's You Bet confirmed to return to ITV but there's a MAJOR twist – as Holly Willoughby leaves as co-host
STEPHEN Mulhern's gameshow You Bet! WILL return to ITV - but with a major new twist. TV presenter Stephen, 48, will present solo when the revamped series returns later this year after it was revealed co-host Holly Willoughby had quit the show in March. 4 4 ITV confirmed You Bet! will be back with new episodes following the successful relaunch last year, but with a new format change. It has been revealed that the show which saw competitors take on strange challenges will be taking it on the road. Each of the seven episodes, including a Christmas special - will take place in a different iconic locations around the country. An an ITV spokesman said: "Free from the restrictions of the studio - our epic challenges are about to get a whole lot bigger. "Watching on, our celebrity panel's job is simple; they must decide if each challenger will succeed - Yes or No. If they guess correctly, they'll be awarded points. "The Celebrity with the most points at the end of the show will receive £5,000 for their chosen charity." The show will be re-named You Bet! On Tour for the new series. In March it was revealed Holly would not be returning to the show. An ITV spokesman told TV Zone: "Unfortunately Holly couldn't commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series." You Bet! given second series by ITV bosses - before reboot with Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern has even aired The iconic 80s gameshow featured ordinary people taking on a range of bizarre challenges as a panel of celebrity guests gambled on their success. Rob Beckett, Alison Hammond, Harry Redknapp and Rosie Ramsey made up the star gamblers as contestants vied for a £10,000 prize. Challenges included one couple identifying different types of cactus just by licking them. Another challenge was identifying different board games by the sounds they make when they are emptied from their boxes. The likes of Bruce Forsyth, Matthew Kelly and Darren Day previously fronted the show on their own. You Bet! was a homecoming for Holly as she returned to ITV with her first new format since she left This Morning. It was hoped the show would cement her partnership with Dancing on Ice co-star Stephen Mulhern as the new golden hosting couple of the most popular commercial broadcaster. 4
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Hit reality show confirmed to return to ITV this summer following fakery row
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HIT reality show's return to ITV this summer has been confirmed - and with big changes in store. Viewers were enthralled last year watching series one and will soon get to see more. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 The Fortune Hotel is returning this summer Credit: Rex 4 Stephen Mangan hosts the hit ITV reality competition Credit: Rex 4 A new batch of contestants will soon enter the game Credit: Rex Hosted by Stephen Mangan, The Fortune Hotel sees competitors forced to lie to each other in order to claim a £250,000 prize. The hit show will be back on viewers' screens this summer. In a change from the first series, the show will reportedly be airing two episodes per week across four weeks. Last time around, eight episodes aired on consecutive nights for two weeks. An accompanying podcast hosted by comedian Ellie Taylor is also said to be in development. Titled "Late Check Out", it will take listeners behind the scenes while offering an exclusive look at The Fortune Hotel's challenges and shock twists. The podcast is subject to funding and has not yet been formally commissioned, according to TVZone. Following series one, ITV confirmed applications and the audition process for next series's hopefuls had begun. Meanwhile, The Fortune Hotel previously faced a "fakery row" concerning the first series. The show came under fire for scenes that viewers felt were scripted/faked for dramatic effect. 'Why do this to us?!' rage The Fortune Hotel viewers as they threaten to boycott show after 'cliffhanger' ending Suspicions were raised on the programme over the validity of scenes after fans spotted a damning pattern between certain contestants. In particular, couples who had been handed the Early Checkout Card - which put them at risk of being kicked out of the Grenada hotel and out of the running for the money. Viewers noticed a streak of those with the Early Checkout card winning challenges and therefore saving their place. A total of 10 couples compete - with only one pair being armed with a briefcase containing the whopper cash prize. Eight suitcases are empty, with one containing the dreaded early checkout card, leading to elimination. From there, the challenge begins in order to find which case the cash is in. The first series saw mother and son Jo-Anne and Will emerge as the winners - but who will follow in their footsteps? The Fortune Hotel airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
