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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rebecca Cook

Simon Cowell 'planning Britain's Got Talent spin-off' with huge new twist

Simon Cowell is reportedly set to launch a Britain’s Got Talent show spin-off for pet lovers out there.

The beloved ITV1 talent show is set to return to screens this year, with auditions starting this month amid a judging panel shake-up after David Walliams quit the role.

Yet, there could now be more shake-ups in store amid reports media tycoon Simon Cowell is considering a Britain’s Got Talent spin-off show dedicated to pets.

As an avid fan of pet performers on the show, particularly dogs, Cowell is said to be exploring the avenue following the show’s one-off Christmas special featuring solely magicians.

BGT aired a one-off Christmas special featuring solely magicians. (ITV)

A TV source told The Sun : “Simon has long been a fan of the animal acts on Britain’s Got Talent so nobody was surprised when the notion of a furry friends special was raised.

“Ultimate Magician proved there’s an appetite for these spectacular showcases, so why not? There’s a couple of ideas on the table but the animals are leading the way at the moment.”

Cowell is said to be ‘keen’ to expand the Britain’s Got Talent universe as the show ramps up towards another series.

It comes after The Mirror exclusively reported that Bruno Tonioli will take the spot on the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel to replace Walliams.

Cowell is said to be ‘keen’ to expand the Britain’s Got Talent universe (ITV)

Bruno’s friend and former Strictly star Craig Revel Horwood gave an update on the behind-the-scenes negotiations as the auditions are set to start filming next week.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday morning ahead of the BBC One’s arena tour and host Susanna Reid asked if he could ‘confirm or deny’ whether Bruno would be in the ITV panel hot seat.

Craig said: “I would love to say he is, but I believe he’s up against Alan Carr as well. So, I think they’re juggling and they’re going to save it as a surprise.”

David Walliams stepped down after derogatory comments he made about the show's contestants were leaked (Dymond/Thames/Syco/REX/Shutterstock)

He continued: “So, I in fact don’t know. Bruno is very secretive with me, darling. He will never be honest with me or tell me the truth, so I really don’t know.”

He then added: “I would love to see Bruno back on our screens. It’s a great position to have, so I wish him all the very best if he is in the running for it, because I think it would be wonderful to get that energy back on the telly.”

Filming for Britain’s Got Talent kicks off at the London Palladium on January 24.

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