Ant and Dec confirmed their reputation as the nicest guys on TV when they joined the judging panel on Britain’s Got Talent and could not bring themselves to buzz any of the acts off the stage.
The pair, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, took it in turns to take over when Simon Cowell missed a show but could not match his no-holds barred style.
McPartlin refused to press the buzzer when 33-year-old Steve Barker from York performed his own rap to a Black Eyed Peas song, telling the other judges: “This is horrible.”
Fellow judge David Walliams said: “Ant and Dec are such nice guys, I get why they are so reluctant to say no to anyone.”
Cowell returned for the rest of tonight’s show and showed off his Mr Nasty reputation when he tried to split up mother and daughter act Kitty and Rosie.
He told the pair, who performed the much-covered Feeling Good, they might be better going it alone.
He said: “I’m going to say something which is not going to make me popular. I don’t want to say to you ‘mum go’ but I’m really tempted to say I’d like to see you as solo performers.”
Meanwhile Voice coach Will.i.am will be channel-hopping to appear on BGT. The star of the BBC talent show is one of the big-name guest artists being wheeled out by ITV for the live shows.
X Factor finalist Ella Henderson kicks things off on Monday with Ed Sheeran featuring on Tuesday. Boyband The Vamps are on Wednesday with Will’s new song Birthday featured on Thursday.
BGT winners Attraction and powerhouse Welsh duo Richard and Adam, from last year’s series, are on Saturday.
The final the following Saturday will feature Little Mix. Another top act has still to be announced for the June 7 grand finale
The live shows will see the remaining 45 acts try to secure the public vote.
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