New Britain’s Got Talent Judges Announced

ITV have released the new judging panel for the 2011 series of Britain’s Got Talent. It was reported earlier in the summer the show would be looking for a refresh in 2011 after securing less than expected ratings, it was also reported the show’s creator, Simon Cowell would be taking a break from the Auditions. Piers Morgan is also stepping down from the show due to his CNN commitments.

ITV have announced that stand up comedian, Michael McIntyre and former American’s Got Talent judge, David Hasselhoff will be replacing Cowell and Morgan at the auditions. Amanda Holden will keep her judging role on the show. Although Simon Cowell will not be attending the nationwide auditions, he will be attending the live semi finals and final in late May. It is uncertain if he will replace one of the three judges or become a fourth judge.

Michael McIntyre is a 34 year old stand up comedian who have been popular on television appearances and at stand up gigs. He is a regular on BBC’s Live at the Apollo but his continued popularity rewarded him with Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, which is based on Live at the Apollo but visiting different cities rather than staying at the Hammersmith Apollo. His first stand up DVD release, Live & Laughing was the fastest selling debut stand-up DVD ever. Although McIntyre is faithful for working for the BBC, he will continue to work on Live at the Apollo and  Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow. Rival stand up comedian, Peter Kay was reported to become a judge on the panel but denied all claims on The Paul O’Grady Show in October. Paul O’Grady, who was also reported to become a judge (and reported on this website in August), also denied claims he was approached to accept a judging role.

David Hasselhoff will return for the Got Talent scene after being a judge on America’s Got Talent for the first four seasons. He was on the original judging panel on the NBC show but was replaced by Howie Mandell from the 2009 series. Viewers in the UK will recongise The Hoff for being the legendary Michael Knight in 80′s US TV show Knight Rider and Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch. Choosing Hasselhoff as a judge might pose questions from viewers as Hasselhoff has been reported for drinking excessively in recent months.

Although Amanda Holden will be keeping her place on the judging panel in the auditions, her latest theatre appearance as Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical might clash with the live shows. Shrek the Musical is set to debut in the West End on 6th May. The semi finals and final of Britian’s Got Talent are planned to be shown in late May. It is uncertain if she will commit to the ITV show at the live shows but this could open the door for Simon Cowell to replace her at the semi final stage.

McIntyre, Hasselhoff and Holden will be attending the nationwide auditions in January. They will be visiting London, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Cardiff and Birmingham.