COVID Forces Britain’s Got Talent To Be Postponed Until 2022

Britain’s Got Talent has been postponed to next year due to health security and safety concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic that continues to wreak massive mortality around the globe.

The recording of ITV’s program was originally scheduled to begin this month, but was postponed three weeks ago due to a third British shutdown and rising coronavirus cases in the nation.

‘Safety Has To Come First’

However, on Friday, the talent show’s producers said that “safety has to come first” and called it off until 2022.

They said performers like dance groups, choirs and orchestras wouldn’t be able to rehearse and audition safely.

The BGT audition shows typically involve hundreds of people congregating and then performing in front of a live audience and judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden.

In a statement, the producers said: “While everyone on ITV, Thames and Syco are doing their best to make it happen, and we prioritize the progress and well-being of everyone involved in the program from judges, managers and all staff and audience, the decision was taken – unfortunately – distribution of the record and broadcast of the 15th series of British’s Got Talent to 2022.

Auditions And Rehearsals

“BGT is known for its diversity of talent with great dance groups, beautiful choirs and excellent orchestras at its very heart and soul, and it has become clear that they can not only conduct audition with these types of acts in a secure way but also that they are not able to adequately rehearse and prepare safely.

“Security has to come first and, as a result, the recording of the show is currently not going to proceed as planned.”

Filming on the show’s latest Christmas special was delayed after at least three crew members tested positive for coronavirus. Last week, Holden said on her Heart Breakfast show there were “still discussions going on” as to whether the next full series would be filmed this year.

In 2020, the 14th series was won by comedic pianist Jon Courtenay, with sign-language choir Sign Along With Us finishing in second place.