They’re a much-loved presenting duo – so it’s no surprise Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were mobbed at the launch of Britain’s Got Talent on Tuesday.
The show’s superfans lined up in their hundreds to greet the hosts and catch a glimpse of the judging line-up at the iconic London Palladium.
Ant was left in hysterics as a character in a silver quilted jacket and carrying a vape reached for a giant hug while sporting face paints.
Britain has SUPERFANS! Ant and Dec remained hysterical as they were mobbed at the BGT launch at the London Palladium on Tuesday – (Picture; Ant)
And Dec could barely keep the smile from his face as he watched the scenes unfold nearby.
A delighted super fan wore a satin bomber jacket that had Ant and Dec’s faces emblazoned on the back.
She also wore pants made up of photos of the dynamic duo as she had a fun day.
Ant and Dec were among the first to arrive at launch, alongside a slim Simon Cowell, who has been looking drastically different lately.
Amanda Holden also arrived and put on a high leg display while wearing an oversized suit jacket and heels.
Alesha Dixon and new host Bruno Tonioli, who will replace David Walliams after leaving the show in sensational fashion, are also expected to arrive.
It comes after Alan Carr was widely tipped to take on the role.
Bruno, who would be ‘delighted’ to return to UK primetime Saturday night TV, will now eclipse his former Strictly co-stars’ pay by three times.
Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke would all earn £250,000 per series on the Strictly jury.
This follows a battle between Bruno – a close friend of Simon – and comedian Alan for the role. Show judges Alesha and Amanda learned the identity of their new colleague last week.
According to the Daily Mail’s Katie Hind, Bruno has yet to sign the contract, but he was officially offered the job following a standoff between ITV and the BGT boss, who insisted that he got the part after David left.
Alan, 46, is said to be “devastated” to have lost the job he thought was his.
Friends of the star said he was told he would join the show by his relatives two weeks ago.
One told the Daily Mail: ‘He’s trying to hold his head up, he thought he had it. It’s really disappointing for him. BGT really missed something, especially with the on-screen chemistry between him and Amanda.
Meanwhile, a source close to the show said, “This is one of the most peculiar events in show business in recent years.” Alan was told he had the job and then all of a sudden Bruno’s name came up. It’s so weird.
“Some ITV bosses are upset with the decision, their preference was for Alan, as were those most involved in the show, who were genuinely excited to join them for series.” They all wanted him but Cowell was against it, he wanted his friend. Tonioli joining BGT means there are now two former Strictly judges on the panel – something ITV bosses have reportedly objected to.
Slim: Simon Cowell continued to look unrecognizable as he arrived at the launch of Britain’s Got Talent alongside Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly at the London Palladium on Tuesday
Legs for days! Simon’s co-judge Amanda Holden was also seen arriving for the auditions, sporting a leggy display in a plunging pale blue blazer dress
Friends of the star said he was told he would join the show by his relatives two weeks ago.
One told the Daily Mail: ‘He’s trying to hold his head up, he thought he had it. It’s really disappointing for him. BGT really missed something, especially with the on-screen chemistry between him and Amanda.
Meanwhile, a source close to the show said, “This is one of the most peculiar events in show business in recent years.” Alan was told he had the job and then all of a sudden Bruno’s name came up. It’s so weird.
“Some ITV bosses are upset with the decision, their preference was for Alan, as were those most involved in the show, who were genuinely excited to join them for series.” They all wanted him but Cowell was against it, he wanted his friend. Tonioli joining BGT means there are now two former Strictly judges on the panel – something ITV bosses have reportedly objected to.
In one incident, picked up by the show’s microphones, an older performer engaged in light-hearted banter with the judges in which he made a joke about David.
After the audition, the retiree left and David reportedly described him as a “c**t” three times.
In another incident, after a contestant left the stage, David remarked, “She’s like the kinda annoying girl you meet in the pub who thinks you want to fuck them, but you don’t. .” He later added, “I know, she’s like, ‘Oh fuck you! I was saying, she thinks you want to fuck her, but you don’t.
‘It’s the last thing on your mind, but she’s like, ‘Yeah, I bet she is!’
‘No, I don’t! I had a little ab***r, but now it’s okay, it’s now shrunken inside my body.
David, one of the UK’s best-known TV personalities and children’s book authors, was forced to apologize for his outbursts – but insisted it was about private conversations.
Goodbye: Former judge Strictly Bruno will replace David Walliams (pictured in 2022) who left the show last year after ITV bosses who wanted comedian Alan Carr were overruled by boss Simon Cowell
Latest details: This comes after it was reported that Bruno would triple the salary he received on Strictly Come Dancing by joining the ITV jury (LR) David Walliams, Alesha, Amanda, Simon Cowell
What a shame: Alan (pictured in January 2023) would be ‘devastated’ to lose the job he thought was his
