Simon Cowell makes feelings clear on Bruno Tonioli's BGT future as star breaks silence on 'axe' rumours
ITV BGT: Simon has spoken on Bruno's potential exit
ITV
Britain's Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli has found himself at the centre of reports that the former Strictly Come Dancing judge could be axed from the show.
Tonioli was brought onto the show to replace David Walliams and proved a major hit with viewers, but it seems the recent series left a lot of viewers annoyed with the star.
Reports have recently claimed that bosses have already eyed up his replacement and it could be a popular TV presenter who will take his place.
There has been no official announcement from Tonioli or ITV, but a source told The Sun that a new recording schedule could be behind the departure.
"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," the source alleged "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."
Bruno is rumoured to be dropped from the ITV series
BBC
However, music mogul and talent show legend Simon Cowell has spoken out against these claims and shut down the rumours of Tonioli's potential exit.
He explained: "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."
Alan Carr is rumoured to be replacing Tonioli
GETTY
The 64-year-old went on to tell Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston on Heart Breakfast: "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."
His potential exit comes as many viewers watching at home thought the live audience was booing the Italian dancer during the semi-finals.
However, people soon worked out that the audio on the camera couldn't pick up the thousands chanting his name.
Singer Sydnie Christmas walked away with the grand prize and the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Royal Family.
However, her celebrations were marred by claims that she was "fixed" to win the show - something she recently addressed and described as soul-destroying.
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Sydnie was crowned the 2024 winner but received a lot of backlash
ITV
She told OK!: "The public ultimately has to vote, don't they? They could have voted for whoever they wanted to win. It wouldn't have mattered if I'd gone first.
"I don't know what to say, soul-destroying isn't it? It's difficult, it takes it away from how hard the journey was or how rewarding the success is. They just think that, 'Oh, it's obvious it was given to her.' It really wasn't.
"I had to graft. I had to really graft and believe and want."