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Amanda Holden has been appointed as the head judge on Britain’s Got Talent after Simon Cowell had to step down due to health issues.
This decision comes even though his absence from this week’s auditions at the Hippodrome theatre led to the TV star being brought in to take his place.


Executives believed it was fitting for Amanda, 53, to take Simon’s place.
She is the only other judge who has been on BGT since its inception in 2007.
A BGT insider commented: “The producers were extremely thankful to Stacey for stepping in, especially given the short notice.
“Her contributions ensured that the hundreds of audience members were not left disappointed.
“However, they felt she shouldn’t immediately transition to Simon’s role as head judge, and that Amanda had truly earned that privilege.
“She seamlessly took on the role during the first round of auditions on Friday, with Stacey fitting in well with the other judges.”
Last year, when Simon had to leave BGT due to the tragic passing of a star, it was then-judge Bruno Tonioli, who had only been with BGT for two years, who became the head judge.
He has now been permanently replaced on the show by KSI due to a scheduling conflict with his other major role as a judge on another show.
On Thursday, it was confirmed that Simon was unwell, resulting in the cancellation of the first day of auditions.
There was hope that Simon might recover in time to return on Friday.
Unfortunately, he was still unwell, and Stacey, who Simon auditioned on X Factor in 2009, took his place instead.
She finished third in that year’s competition but went on to achieve greater success as a TV presenter.
There has been no further update on Simon’s health or whether he will be well enough to participate in the third and final day of auditions in Birmingham.
The show is scheduled to continue next week in .
BGT's Best Golden Buzzer Moments
BGT has awarded many Golden Buzzers over the years. Can you recall some of the most memorable moments?
- Loren Allred – Loren Allred, 32, from Brooklyn, New York, traveled to London to audition after providing the vocals for The Greatest Showman. The talented singer received a standing ovation and a Golden Buzzer from the judges for her powerful rendition of "Never Enough" from the film. She revealed to the judges that they may have heard her voice many times before, as she was hired to record the vocals as a guide for the actors. Loren shared that actress Rebecca Ferguson was so impressed with her singing that she chose to use her vocals in the movie, leading to Ferguson lip-syncing during the performance.
- Chicken Shed Theatre Company – This group, consisting of individuals aged 5 to 37, was established to provide a platform for anyone, regardless of background, to perform and pursue their dreams. Chicken Shed prides itself on inclusivity, not holding auditions to create a safe space for all. They wowed the audience with their performance of "Wonder" by Naughty Boy featuring Emeli Sande, prompting Alesha to immediately hit her Golden Buzzer, expressing it was her “honor” to reward their inclusiveness.
- The Dancing Granny – Granny Paddy Jones and her professional partner Niko Espinosa first gained recognition when they won the Spanish talent show Tú sí que vales in 2009, later appearing on Britain’s Got Talent in 2014, where they finished ninth. Amanda Holden was so impressed with Paddy that she awarded her the Golden Buzzer, sending them straight to the semi-finals. However, Paddy suffered a rib injury while rehearsing a new move, putting her participation in jeopardy. Ultimately, she received the all-clear to perform but did not quite meet expectations.
- Bars and Melody – They are forever known for their anti-bullying anthem on the talent show. Bars and Melody first appeared on the 2014 season of Britain’s Got Talent, earning a spot in the semi-finals when Simon Cowell pressed his Golden Buzzer. They advanced to the finals with their performance of "I’ll Be Missing You" but finished as runners-up to Collabro. Today, Charlie Lenehan, known as Melody, is adorned with tattoos, while he remains close with co-star Leondre Devries, who is Bars, as they enjoy adventures together around the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the head judge on Britain’s Got Talent?
Amanda Holden has been appointed as the head judge on Britain’s Got Talent after Simon Cowell stepped down due to illness.