Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have sent an emotional message to Britain's Got Talent fans in lockdown.
Ahead of tonight's series opener, the Geordie duo popped up on our screens before the auditions took place.
Giving a wave, Dec said: "Hello everybody. Hope you are safe and well."
The pair reassured Britain's Got Talent viewers that filming of the series took place before the UK was punt into lockdown amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Ant said: "Now before we get going with our first audition of 2020 we just want to assure you everything you’re about to see was filmed this year back in January and February."
Dec added: "Yes, so from everybody at BGT and our sponsors M&S food we hope tonight’s show puts a smile on your face. So enjoy and let’s bring on the talent."
The BGT finals and semi-finals usually take place during the May half-term week.
But bosses have been forced to suspend the live shows due to the COVID-19 outbreak - with no sign of when they may take place.
A few weeks ago, an ITV spokesman said: "The Britain's Got Talent audition shows will broadcast on ITV in the next few weeks.
"We have been working with the brilliant production teams at Thames and Syco to find a way of making the live finals work, which were due to be broadcast at the end of May.
"However, in light of the latest government health guidelines and in line with our priority of safeguarding the well-being of everyone involved in our programmes, production of the live shows cannot go ahead as planned."
They added: "The live finals will therefore be broadcast later in the year."
The auditions got off to a cracking start tonight with an amazing array of talent being showcased.
There was an extreme contortionist that left viewers feeling sick, a talented young boy with a sad confession and an incredible choir that got David Wallaims’ golden buzzer
*Britain's Got Talent airs Saturdays on ITV at 8pm
