Simon Cowell and David Walliams talk about those ‘extraordinary’ acts that made them jump out of their chairs in the show Britain’s Got Talent
Are you excited to be back on the showIJ
Yeah I am, I like this show. It’s a much easier show to do than X Factor, you don’t have to do so much work.
It is interesting that the auditions are a surprise bacause nobody knows whats next…
Everybody thinks that I know who’s coming up. A lot of people said when the Susan Boyle moment happened: ‘Come on, you must have knownIJ’ But I didn’t have a clue.
You’re known for changing things on your shows. Did you consider changing the judging line-up this yearIJ
No, I think — and I hate to admit it — this panel is about as good as we’ve done on any show. I like being on the show but, more importantly, the other three like being on the show. They genuinely want to find someone talented, particularly the girls.
What is your ambition for this seriesIJ
I think we try and make it better every year. As soon as the show ends we sit down with the production team and we look at everything and work on things that we can do better. It all really rests with the talent. Every good year you remember is always because of the talent, not something we did. I think it has to appeal to everyone, from young people to older people. It has to be unpredictable but you do need to find a star at the end. That’s the truth.
Is there a type of act you really don’t likeIJ
I had a particular thing about too many people coming on and playing their guitars. I’m literally becoming allergic to them because they all sound the same and they all think they are going to be the next Ed Sheeran. But all they have ever done is play the guitar in their bedroom so when you put them on stage they just can’t perform.
Do you think your standards are higher this yearIJ
I think I have higher standards than the other three, that’s for sure. Sometimes I look at something and it’s a pale imitation of what we’ve seen before or I have seen before. Particularly with the dog acts. When you have had an act as good as Ashleigh and Pudsey, they were famous all over the world. Some of the dog acts we’ve had on the show this year, it’s not just that the dogs aren’t good but the owners are terrible. They are really boring. Also, I think there are a lot of people now who think, because they are going to sing opera, we are all going to jump out of our chairs. But we’re not unless you are amazing. I think the audience at home feels the same way.
How does it feel to be backIJ
At first I thought, ‘how wonderful to be back on the show’, but the very first thing that happened in Edinburgh on the first day was that I was wearing a kilt and Simon whipped it up in front of all the press and the public — fortunately I was wearing pants. He hit me in the face with my own sporran and it really hurt. Then I thought, ‘Why am I doing this show againIJ’ When I don’t see Simon I do miss him and then as soon as I am with him, I remember how annoying he is.
So what was your ‘golden buzzer act’IJ
I picked this wonderful lady who was a musician. She got a keyboard on an ironing board and she sang a song about a crumble, as in the food. Simon buzzed her within about three seconds but the audience really loved her and I really loved her. I thought she was funny so I was really glad and I pressed my buzzer for her.
What do you look for in your ‘golden buzzer act’IJ
Golden buzzer act is an act that I love, the audience loves and the other three judges hate. I think that’s the point of it, it’s to give an opportunity to someone who wouldn’t otherwise have one. If you just play it safe and pick someone who is obviously going to go through other live shows and do brilliantly, I think there’s no point in that.
What did Simon think of your golden buzzerIJ
Simon didn’t like her, but then he doesn’t really like comedy. He says I am the only comedian he likes, which is kind of worrying because if a man with absolutely no sense of humour thinks you’re funny, that’s disturbing.
So he didn’t like my golden buzzer but that’s ok because she’s going to be in the live shows anyway and I think she’s got a very good chance of getting in the final because she’s genuinely really funny and talented. She’s a British eccentric, she’s half way between Miranda Hart and Victoria Wood, she’s got that lovely warm sensibility about her.
The show airs on Vh1