It might have a new panel but from what we’ve seen so far, this year there’s the same old unmissable mix of the talented, talentless and down right tasteless!

It’s that time of year again when we find ourselves glued to our screens by night and talking endlessly about what we’ve witnessed by day. That’s right Britain’s Got Talent has swept back into our lives with a brand new judging panel but (thankfully) the same old shenanigans. From dogs to dancers, sorcerers to singers this year is shaping up to be one of the best yet and that is in spite of the fact that those BGT stalwarts, Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan, have been missing in action. But while they have been MIA, they haven’t been too badly missed as their replacements, comedy king Michael McIntyre and TV personality David Hasselhoff, have been doing stellar jobs in the hot seats alongside Amanda Holden. No.1 caught up with all three judges to find out how they have got along, what they really think about the talent this year and why David (who is just as comically crazy as he seems on TV) considers his greatest talent to be being a willy!

Michael, how are you finding your new job as a judge?
I’m loving my new job. I’ve watched every series of BGT and am a huge fan of the show. To be part of it has been surreal and amazing.

And David what about you, how are you finding your new position on the judging panel?
Third to the left and fun to be sitting in Simon Cowell’s seat, it’s very warm!

Amanda, you talk sense, how has it been with the two new judges, Michael and David?
I miss Simon and Piers but I’ve had a real laugh with Michael and the Hoff. Michael and I immediately clicked. We’re on the same wavelength. He is still getting used to the fact that the audience is behind him and not in front of him. At first, he didn’t like pressing his buzzer as he didn’t want to get booed! He has me in stitches throughout the entire show. 

Hoff is in ‘Hoffland’. He is courageous in what he says and completely off the wall, but he’s been in showbiz a long time and has a lot to say. He does an excellent line in his own merchandise too! I have never met anyone whose merchandise is so readily available; ‘Don’t Hassel the Hoff’ T-shirts, ‘Hoff Off’ jeans, he has the works and wore something from his line almost every day of the auditions. In fact, I literally took the T-shirt off his back. It smells of Hoff... and it’s good!

So the three of you have really got on?
Michael: We had such a laugh during the auditions. I can honestly say it’s the most fun I’ve had at work.
David: We did have lots of fun. There is lots of respect between us but sometimes there’s complete and utter chaos with us not agreeing!

Amanda, did you pass on any tips to them?
The Hoff doesn’t need any tips because he has experience with America’s Got Talent, but I was his translator when it came to any regional accents: he didn’t understand what anyone was saying! With Michael, I kept telling him he didn’t need to worry about the audience booing him or disagreeing with him. He was there to give his opinion and that’s just what he had to do.

Michael, you are the most successful comedian in the UK at the moment, so why do this?
I’ve been performing stand-up comedy for 10 years, it’s what I love and will always do. I had no plans to do anything else, but BGT is like a national event so I leapt at the chance to be part of it.

Without giving too much away, what have been some of the best acts during the auditions?
Michael: BGT is all about discovering real talent. It’s about those moments when an unknown person takes to the stage and changes their life in the space of a few minutes. There were several of those life-changing auditions and any of them could win. Witnessing those auditions at first hand was so wonderful, so powerful, so emotional and uplifting. They make the show what it is and I can’t wait to see them on TV.

Amanda: There are some fantastic young singers this year. Some of them completely blew us away at the auditions.
David: Yeah, the young acts are without a doubt going to be in the finals and surprisingly there’s a fantastic dog act and some very funny comedians.

And the worst?
Michael: There were acts that were so bad they were hilarious. My favourite is probably these two tiny dogs who looked identical and both had to complete an assault course. One of them got everything right and the other one got everything wrong, I was crying with laughter.
Amanda: For me the worst were the drag acts. I normally love all the colour and campness, but this year I didn’t see anyone who got that act right.
David: My worst was the man who did impersonations of trucks. I think he was run over last week while doing a truck sound because someone really thought he was a truck.

Michael, what did you think of the more, shall we say, eccentric acts?
Eccentric acts are what have made BGT wonderful over the years. Stavros Flatley were probably my favourite. This series has so many acts that were quirky and unexpected that the audience and judges loved and we weren’t even sure why.

Amanda you famously love the eccentrics, is that still true?
I love them! They are my main staple. Eccentric and off the wall acts are what BGT is all about.  They are my personal favourites.

David you are a judge on America’s Got Talent so you are well placed to tell us just what you think of British talent.
I think that the talent so far has been brilliant, some of the young people are especially good and we’ve seen some very funny comedians. I have also enjoyed some of the wackiest acts on the planet!

Amanda, in your opinion how does the talent this year compare to other years?
I think this year has been one of the best years for talent.  There was one audition day we had in London and we all agreed, even the producers, that we had the best talent that we have had in five years.
David, back to you again, you have spent a bit of time in the UK now, what have you enjoyed most about it?
The heart-warming and kind people that I’ve met in every city that I’ve visited. Oh and the full English breakfast and Liverpool girls!

We don’t want to know any more about the Liverpool girls so swiftly changing the subject, have you found the UK audiences more vocal about the acts than US audiences?
Yes! And they are very territorial! It seems like every city really dislikes every other city.

What did you think about the Scottish audiences in particular?
Michael: In Glasgow they weren’t happy with one of the judge’s decisions and they certainly made their feelings known. Watch out for what happens in the series!
Amanda: Oh in Scotland they were outrageous! They were in complete disagreement with most of our choices and booed us every chance they got.

Are you looking forward to seeing Simon at the live shows?
David: Of course! Simon and I go back to 1993. We are friends first and it will be fun sparring with him on a live show because we are such good friends. It will be fun having him on.
Michael: I’m so excited about Simon coming back. He will return for the live shows to not only judge the acts, but also to judge the judges, as only he can!
Amanda: I can’t wait to see Simon and I especially can’t wait to see his face when he sees some of the acts we’ve put through!

That sounds ominous, what do you think Simon will make of the talent you’ve found?
David: He’ll probably hate it all and threaten to send me back to America! Actually, he knows that I take this competition very seriously and I think he will be proud with the acts that we have.
Amanda: I think he’ll take credit for the ones that are good and try and blame me and the boys for the rest! 
Michael: He absolutely will do that but overall I think Simon will be very impressed with the standard this year. The word is, it’s one of the strongest years so far.

Never mind the pressure you feel about getting it right for Simon, do you worry about finding the right winner to perform for the Royal Family?
Amanda: Yes! I genuinely feel a responsibility and don’t really enjoy repetition of a particular genre so we are always looking for something different, something we’ve maybe never seen before, something to truly entertain Britain and the Royal Family.
Michael: I’ve performed at the Royal Variety Performance and it’s a wonderful opportunity to perform for the Royal Family, but the public will pick the finalists and the public will pick the winner, and if the public love them I’m certain the Queen will too.

What kind of act would you like to see win this year?
Michael: I have no idea yet, there are so many fantastic acts for so many different reasons. I can’t wait to see which of the ones we put through captures the public’s imagination. I will let you know my favourite in the final.
Amanda: The amount of young talent is extraordinary this year especially and I would put money on a child winning this year.
David: But that is a secret!

Okay… well tell us this then, if you were to enter BGT what would you do to impress the judges?
Amanda: I would probably do them a tap number and burst into song. I am currently rehearsing for Shrek in the West End, so tap shoes are a firm feature in my wardrobe at the moment!

David, we’re almost afraid to ask you this question but tell us what would you do?
My act would be a dancing willy!

A dancing what?
No, no, no… just kidding! [Laughs hysterically before pulling a serious face]. Running in slow motion that would be my act!

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