Davina McCall shuts down Britain's Got Talent replacement probe after standing in for Amanda Holden: 'I couldn't'

McCall was happy to step into Holden's 6.30am - 10am shoes for the time being but was adamant she could never fill her shoes as a judge on Britain's Got Talent.

"It's one thing stepping in for Amanda on Heart, but I couldn’t fill a seat on BGT. I feel that that would be wrong in some way. Amanda is on Heart every day, but BGT is massive.

"I couldn’t do it," she told The Sun.

Whilst McCall is sure that Holden is going nowhere, the same can't be said for Bruno Tonioli who initially came in to replace David Walliams, which left plenty of viewers divided with the decision.

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Over recent weeks, it has been rumoured that the star was being let go from the series due to conflicting schedules, with an insider telling The Sun that he was on his way out already.

"Once it became clear auditions were starting in October, as opposed to January as per the previous 17 series, it became clear Bruno may not be able to take part.

"He's committed to the US, but the new format for BGT is non-negotiable because the show will effectively be replacing Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

"Alan Carr is a name that has been mooted - his chemistry with Amanda is already a winning formula - and he would bring a fantastic comic edge to the panel."

Head judge Simon Cowell has since refuted these rumours, and told Holden and Theakston on their radio show: "I don't know where all this stuff comes from. I spoke to the producers literally two weeks ago about there [being] a scheduling issue with Bruno.

"Because we're doing the auditions - some of the auditions - this year and he's going to be in America. So maybe there'll be a stand-in for him. I don't know. But I love Bruno on the show. I think he's brilliant.

"He knows so much about what he's talking about. And actually, he's a brilliant, brilliant judge and the nicest person. So no, I would not replace him. He's coming back."

However, whilst Carr was the frontrunner for the replacement, his odds were overtaken by Youtuber, rapper and boxer KSI - real name Olatunji Olajide - who now sits as the most likely replacement.

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According to Gambling.com, Tonioli has odds of 4/6 to not return to the show, leaving his odds at a return to sit at 6/4, with an ITV spokeswoman noting: "Any plans for Britain’s Got ­Talent 2025 will be announced in due course."

KSI's odds at replacing Tonioli sit at 4/7, with Carr hot on his heels at 6/4, and Diversity dancer Ashely Banjo coming in at 2/1.

At the other end of the spectrum is former BGT winner Susan Boyle with odds of 10/1, followed by Australian pop star Kylie Minogue at 8/1, and Simon Cowell's close friend Sinnta being given odds of 7/1.