BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT 'SET FOR FORMAT CHANGE' FROM NEXT YEAR

Last month Britain’s Got Talent made a triumphant return to the stage as judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli reunite with hosts Ant & Dec in the search for Britain’s next talented superstar... and it’s set to be a golden year.

The Sun reports that the show could be set for a major format change, with the series airing for longer to cover the gap in the ITV schedules left by Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. This would mean the series starting in February and ending in May, with weekly semi-finals instead of being stripped across a week.

A source told The Sun: "Stretching BGT over three months could make it more of a presence. Online is where advertisers are now pumping in their money, but to get the clips they need the show. So BGT’s creators have the upper hand as they strike a new deal."

This year, the judges are braced and ready to be met with some of the most spectacular displays of talent as lucky hopefuls tread the boards of the iconic London Palladium in a bid to impress the panel enough to bag a life-changing £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the bill of the Royal Variety Performance.

Contestants will be dreaming of a Golden Buzzer that gives them an automatic place in the live semi-finals and hoping to avoid the dreaded red buzzers which could put an end to their journey - 2023 saw comedy clown Viggo Venn be crowned winner of the 16th series after gaining the public vote, but who will take the title this year?

Britain's Got Talent airs Saturday at 7:30pm on ITV1. ITV and Fremantle did not comment when approached by The Sun.