Britain’s Got Talent bosses reportedly struggled to fill the audience at recent tapings in London.
The ITV entertainment show is back this year after being cancelled in 2021 because of the Covid pandemic, and auditions have been under way at the London Palladium.
But according to The Sun it hasn’t been all that easy to get bums on seats in the audience – and then keep them there.
A source said that at one recording, the comedian on hand to warm up the crowd begged people not to leave the theatre before Simon Cowell and co had finished dishing out their critiques to hopefuls.
And then free tickets to the evening show were handed out as there were still seats available.
A source said: “The recording sessions are quite long, and before the session ended, groups of audience members suddenly started leaving the theatre.”
The comedian (Stuart Holdham) apparently intervened, urging: “Please stay. The show does not work without you.”
“Then at the end of the sitting, staff were handing out free evening tickets to anyone who wanted them outside the rear entrance to the Palladium,” said the insider.
However, if social media is anything to go by, there is a still a big appetite for the variety show.
Countless fans posted messages online saying they couldn’t wait for the 2022 series after BGT shared a first look snap of Simon, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams on the panel.
The image showed Alesha and Amanda glowing in yellow outfits while Simon and David sat at either end of the table.
“My favourite judges on my favourite show – so excited to have it all back,” one excited fan said in the comments section.
“Yes yes yes get in, the best, my favourite TV show of all time, yes yes yes so happy it’s back, missed you loads,” said another.
“I can’t wait!” wrote another viewer.
A spokesperson for BGT said: “The priority for this year’s auditions was to keep people safe and strict protocols were in place in order to do that.
“We were delighted to be back and to able to film in front of an audience.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk