ITV has ditched Britain’s Got Talent’s live semis and will instead screen pre-recorded shows in slots once destined for X Factor.
Bosses hope the episodes due on Saturdays from September, will dominate the ratings thanks to BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing being pushed back to late October.
Only the final of Simon Cowell’s BGT will be live due to the impact of social distancing rules.
However producers hope some will be able to attend the recordings, possibly in family groups or friendship bubbles.
Insiders revealed that acts tricky to get into the studio, such as huge dance troupe X1X Crew from India, will perform on home turf.
Other acts could be kept away for safety, such as disability awareness choir Sign Along With Us, which has members shielding.
A source said: “The idea is to get the run finished before Strictly is out of the blocks.”
“It's a natural replacement for the X Factor. Even if a full audience isn't possible, it's looking like we may be able to get a smaller one, with gaps between the groups, and enhance the sound afterwards. We always say that the audience is like a fifth judge so that's been a great relief.”
The programme's pre-recorded auditions were screened back in April, but the semi-finals and final had to be postponed the following month because of lockdown, when production on almost all TV was halted.
Favourites include singing nurse Beth Porch, Sign Along with Us and singer-songwriter Sirine Jahangir. X Factor was axed when ratings fell.
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