Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Ant and Dec fail to turn up to Britain’s Got Talent’s big launch – leaving just Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon
The famous male judges didn't hit the red carpet this year, leaving just the female judges on their own
ANT and Dec were forced to miss Britain’s Got Talent’s big launch today as they take a break on holiday following months of back to back filming.
The comic duo weren’t alone however, as Simon Cowell, David Walliams and Stephen Mulhern all failed to show up – leaving just Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon to greet fans.
While David shared a snap on holiday just days ago, as he posed with a snowboard under his arm, Simon has been busy working in America for the last six weeks.
Simon missed the launch day last year too, as he paid a tearful goodbye to American Idol.
Meanwhile, Ant and Dec are taking some time out following the end of this year’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
A source told The Sun Online: “They need a break as they go straight from filming the jungle to Saturday Night Takeaway.”
Stephen Mulhern was a no-show too, after tweeting that he was jet-lagged two days ago.
He wrote at the time: “Jet Lag!!!!! Arrrrhhgggg!!!!”
Meanwhile, Amanda has had a busy day ahead of the red carpet, and shared a short video of her hoovering her house just hours before.
She joked: “Mandy’s work is never done! @BGT press day. Show starts this Saturday @itv 8pm.”
The 46-year-old judge says show boss Si, 57, has taken an unusual interest in all the BGT contestants’ personal lives for series 11.
“I’ve learnt a lot about Simon this year. He’s wanting to know much more about every single contestant, he’s delving really deeply into people’s personal lives,” Mandy revealed ahead of the show return this weekend.
Explaining further, the one time Blind Date contestant continued: “He’s asking about their motivations, how they feel, how happy they are.”
Amanda thinks Simon’s new leaf – having a past reputation for being the ultimate Mr Mean of TV – is unsettling.
“He’s not really interested in what kinds of music [the contestants] like or why they want to be on the show, it’s much more deep rooted than that,” she says.
“He’s turned into something quite spiritual this year, it’s really unnerved me,” she confessed.
“He’s being really nice. I don’t like it! It’s like, ‘Why are you being so nice?’” the blonde beauty asked.
However it seems that Simon’s mean streak could still be there – as Amanda said he is getting a kick out of watching her and Alesha Dixon cry while they judge the contestants.
“I’ve cried a lot, as has Alesha. Simon takes the mickey out of us now because he calls it the double teardrop,” Amanda explains.
“He makes it a competition between us, whoever does a double teardrop is the winner. It really kills the moment,” she said.
“You’re there thinking, ‘This is amazing! What a fabulous, emotional experience’ and you turn to him and he goes, ‘OK, Alesha won, it’s a double teardrop’,” she said.
Britain’s Got Talent series 11 airs on ITV on Saturday night at 8pm.
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