Press Pack 2013

Home , Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Grand Designs, Loveable Rogues, Stephen Mulhern, Syco Entertainment

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013

PRESS PACK 2013

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013

Contents

Page 3 - ITV Release Page 4 - ITV2 Release Page 5 - Interactive Release Page 6 - Ant & Dec Q&A Page 8 - Simon Cowell Q&A Page 10 - Amanda Holden Q&A Page 12 - Alesha Dixon Q&A Page 15 - David Walliams Q&A Page 18 - Stephen Mulhern Q&A

Page 19 - Production Credits Page 20 - Rules & Show Format Page 21 - Facts & Figures Page 22 - Sponsorship Release Page 23 - Boilerplates

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 ITV’s hit entertainment show blasts back on to screens for a seventh series packed full of variety…

Following one of its most successful runs in 2012, the nation’s favourite entertainment series Britain’s Got Talent is back, with the four formidable judges – Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams – once more on a mission to find the most original and exciting talent around.

The undisputed kings of British TV Ant and Dec return as hosts to guide viewers through the action from an amazing array of acts. Simon Cowell and his fellow judges provide entertainment in equal measure with laughter, tears, bickering and bromance as they decide if each performer has what it takes to make it through the auditions for a coveted spot in the live semi-finals and the chance to perform at The Royal Variety Performance.

The competition is open to all performers of any age and with any talent. This year’s Britain’s Got Talent is packed full of more variety than ever before with comedians and contortionists, dancers and drag acts and acrobats and animals all set to shine. All the acts need is the skill that they believe will both impress the judges and entertain the nation.

Britain’s Got Talent is a Thames/Syco Production for ITV.

For the latest BGT news follow @GotTalent and @BGTpress on Twitter.

For further information on the show please email [email protected] or contact:

Rick Behari Sarah Woonton Clemmie Kirby Hannah Lamden 020 7691 5130 020 7691 5087 020 7691 6668 020 7361 8245 [email protected] Sarah.woonton@itv.com [email protected] [email protected]

Daisy Greenhead 020 7691 5966 [email protected]

For images log on to: www.itvpictures.com or contact: Shane Chapman 020 7157 3043 [email protected] 3

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013

Britain’s Got More Talent returns to ITV2 for a new series and is ready to unleash yet more acts, antics and absolute mayhem.

Host Stephen Mulhern returns for his seventh series and that’s not just because he comes at a bargain price. He’ll once more bring a cheeky insight and a playful take on this year’s talent.

Ant and Dec will be put through their paces by Stephen in Ant and Dec's: Fairground Fantasy! Going head to head on various funfair games, which one of them will win the accolade of being declared this year’s master rater? David Walliams will be joining in the fun with his own item, David vs. Goliath, which sees him pitted against Britain Got More Talent’s very own ‘Goliath’ in a series of testing yet ridiculous gladiatorial challenges. This series of Britain’s Got More Talent promises you more variety than ever before as Stephen meets all manner of acts including a human Humpty Dumpty, a roller-skating dinner lady, a man that plays a pork chop, a singer who has lost her voice plus an international band who like to get on the bottle. And some of them are actually very talented.

Stephen also gets all the gossip from the judges including, who gets paid the least, when they last Googled themselves, their first ever snog and what they would do if they were to audition.

Throughout the live semi-finals and grand final, Britain’s Got More Talent will be right in the thick of it, getting all the fall-out from the results and giving viewers the opportunity to phone in and speak live to the judges straight after the main show. Plus there’ll be celebrity panels, live games, Ant and Dec and all the usual chaos.

Britain’s Got More Talent is the light-hearted and funny accomplice to the serious challenge of finding a winner worthy to perform at the Royal Variety Performance. This year’s Britain’s Got More Talent promises to bring you that little bit more.

For further information on the show please contact: For images log onto www.itvpictures.com or contact:

Clemmie Kirby Shane Chapman 0207 691 6668 020 7157 3043 [email protected] [email protected] 4

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 Britain’s Got Talent Interactive

Get your iPhones, iPads, laptops, desktops, hashtags, Facebook likes and Buzzers talent.itv.com at the ready as Britain’s Got Talent is back and more interactive than ever! @GotTalent Facebook.com/britainsgottalent This year expect more of your favourite online Britain’s Got Talent content as well as new features and even more behind the scenes videos and stories. Britain’s Got Talent Interactive will provide an experience that will allow you to feel part of your favourite show more than ever before.

As ever you can get all the exclusive BGT news via the official website – talent.itv.c om - where you can get closer to your favourite acts and judges with all the behind the scenes action and latest news. Always on the go? You’ll be pleased to hear the Britain’s Got Talent mobile app (downloaded over 870,000 times last year!) is returning on iPhone, iPod Touch and for the first time on iPad and iPad mini, providing you with even more interaction and high quality content thanks to its newly enhanced features. In addition to the Buzzer, you can now use the new “It’s a Yes/No from Me” poll in real time during the show allowing you to compare your verdict with your friends, the nation and the judges.

Be part of one of the largest TV communities on social media by following @GotTalent on Twitter or liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/britainsgottalent for live updates, online banter and exclusive access behind the scenes at the Britain’s Got Talent live shows. And don’t forget to look out for our new Instagram account.

Whose audition will create an international YouTube sensation? Last year’s operatic duo Jonathan and Charlotte have racked up a massive 31,410,765 hits alone. Tune into our dedicated BGT YouTube channel to find out.

With so much exclusive content across so many platforms, digital fans will enjoy a bigger, better and more interactive Britain’s Got Talent than ever before! 5

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 Ant & Dec – Q&A

How does it feel to be back presenting Britain’s Got Talent for another year? Ant: We are thrilled to be back presenting Britain’s Got Talent. We had such a fun time last year and Ashley and Pudsey were such great winners. Dec: Last year was such a big year for talent. Quite a few of the acts in the final could have won the show, like Jonathan and Charlotte and The Loveable Rogues.

Are you proud to have presented every series of Britain’s Got Talent? Dec: Yes, only ourselves and Amanda have been there since the start! We’re proud to have met and spoken to every act that has auditioned.

What’s it been like being reunited with the judges? Ant: It’s great that we have the same judging panel this year as they all work so well together. Dec: The interaction of David and Alesha works really well. They have real chemistry between them.

What are your favourite memories from last year’s show? Ant: I think the final - the talent was so strong and the winning act was a teenage girl and a dancing dog, that’s variety! Dec: I loved it when Pudsey got on the judges desk and sat in front of Simon and looked up! That was a lovely moment, they were well deserved winners.

What type of act are you hoping will win Britain’s Got Talent this year? Dec: Hopefully it’s the turn of the humans this year after an animal won last year! Ant: We’re massive fans of variety acts, so it would be nice to have a different type of act winning. A comedian, a magician or an old school variety act would be good. We’ve got lots of them this year, but they need to be a modern take on variety.

What do you think of this year’s talent? Ant: It’s great. It’s very, very strong this year. Quite a few animals have auditioned this year, but not a lot of them live up to Pudsey. 6

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 Ant & Dec – Q&A

Who are your favourite ever acts from over the years?

Dec: Diversity, Stavros Flatley, Paul Potts and of course Susan Boyle! That was a massive moment. We love those really big moments. Ant: I loved Dennis Egel, the German guy with the big wings last year!

Without giving too much away, what have been some of the best acts during this year’s auditions? Ant: We’ve had a lot of really good singer -songwriters, a couple of great bands, some really good impressionists and comedians. We’re strong in most categories.

And the worst? Dec: The animals this year. They haven’t lived up to Pudsey. We had a dancing raccoon that didn’t really dance. It did take a poo outside the judge’s room though! We also had a painting donkey that didn’t paint.

Are there any surprises we should look out for? Ant: Yes but they’re surprises!

Are there any memorable backstage moments from the audition tour? Dec: Every day we arrive at the auditions and don’t know who is about to appear, so for us it’s as surprising as it is for the audience. That’s why we love our role on the show. Ant: There have been a couple of Susan Boyle type moments this year. Wait and see!

What is your advice to this year's contestants? Ant: Step it up when you get to the live shows. Those acts that have got real talent raise their game and put a lot of thought and rehearsal into their act.

What are you most looking forward to for the live shows? Dec: The variety of acts that we have, there’s a real mix of talent this year. Some of it is really visually stunning. We’re looking forward to a few key performances like nothing you’ve seen on live TV before! 7

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 Simon Cowell – Q&A

How does it feel to be back on the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel for another year? I always look forward to judging this show - and now with slight trepidation as David is coming back for a second year.

Are you looking forward to being reunited with Alesha, Amanda and David? Yes, for certain hours of the day - then it’s time to leave.

What is your favourite thing about Alesha? She’s strong and feisty, she can stand up to all of us and she has a crush on me.

What is your favourite thing about Amanda? I know she has a crush on me.

What is your favourite thing about David? Unfortunately, he also has a crush on me.

What are your favourite memories from last year’s show? My favourite memory from last year’s show was actually Ashleigh and Pudsey’s first audition because I love dogs and I wanted to find a dancing dog. The fact they won was an added bonus.

What type of act are you hoping will win Britain’s Got Talent this year? Whoever is most original and could be a star all over the world. I don’t think it will be a dancing dog this year.

What do you think of this year’s talent? It’s varied. It’s very open. I think it’s going to be an exciting competition.

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 Simon Cowell – Q&A

Without giving too much away, what have been some of the best acts during this year’s auditions? I’m not going to give too much away because that’s the fun of the show. We have no idea who we are going to see and I think it’s fun for the audience not to know what to expect.

And the worst? Too many to mention.

Are there any surprises we should look out for? Yes, Amanda and Alesha have grown claws.

What is your advice to this year's contestants? Believe in yourself, have confidence, have focus and great ambition.

What are you most looking forward to for the live shows? Never knowing what’s going to happen. That’s why we make the shows live.

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 Amanda Holden – Q&A

How does it feel to be back on the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel for another year? Amazing, I always have such a good laugh and it’s the only time that my tummy gets exercise from laughing so much.

Are you proud to have been a judge on every series of Britain’s Got Talent? I am honoured to have been part of such an incredible show for so long. It has put talent shows back on the map and showcased what we do best on a global stage! We have made history.

What’s it been like being reunited with David, Alesha and Simon? Absolutely great, especially Alesha. She’s my sister in arms and together we can fight anything. David and Simon? Not so much…

What are your favourite things about David? He is really easy to talk to, he’s very thoughtful and, despite his dark and strange ways, he is a gentleman! Also his ability to ask the questions that you’re dying to ask but your filter stops you. David has no filter .

What are your favourite things about Alesha? Her laugh and her feistiness. She's a girl’s girl. We have had such a laugh and are a team this year. I am proud to call her my friend.

What are your favourite things about Simon? Well apart from his good looks, charm and private plane, I love his cheek! He is always up to no good and I find it hysterical!

AshleighWhat are and your Pudsey favourite winning memories the show! from It waslast Simon’syear’s s how?dream come true to have a dog win. The Loveable Rogues were great too and Jonathan and Charlotte have had a really good year. We found some great talent last year. 10

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 Amanda Holden – Q&A

What type of act are you hoping will win Britain’s Got Talent this year? I really want a comedy act to win, maybe a stand-up.

What do you think of this year’s talent? I think this year, more than any other year, we have had real variety. Personally, I have had the best fun out of all of the seven years I have worked on the show.

Without giving too much away, what have been some of the best acts during this year’s auditions? Well we have had a lot of different animals. We have had a raccoon and a donkey audition this year!

And the worst? There was a mother and son act which everyone absolutely hated but I loved it because it was so funny and ironic.

Are there any surprises we should look out for? Yes, but I am not going to tell you or they wouldn’t be a surprise.

What is your advice to this year's contestants? Be ballsy, make a real effort with what you’re wearing and be prepared. Also, don’t under rehearse. This is a huge moment and you should go for it and not cock it up!

What are you most looking forward to for the live shows? The frocks! I love choosing my dresses. Walking down the stairs is a huge buzz.

Is it tricky to look glamorous on the red carpet when it’s freezing cold? We are only ever on the red carpet for two minutes when doing Britain’s Got Talent and I have someone standing by with a coat in the wings! Alesha and I would get big fashion no no-s if we turned up in our anoraks, although I did dare us both to do it!!

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Alesha Dixon – Q&A

How does it feel to be back on the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel for another year? It feels brilliant to be back. It’s a great show. Last series was amazing and hopefully we can capitalise on that and make this one just as good, if not better.

Do you think you’ll be any different as a judge second time round? No, when I’m a judge I’m just myself and I’m just honest. I try to have a natural reaction and I don’t like to premeditate anything, I think that would come across as forced. I think it’s really important to be yourself.

What’s it been like being reunited with David, Amanda and Simon? It’s been great. They are my favourite dysfunctional family and I love them all. Last year we all got on super well and this year we’ve just been laughing even more. Obviously Amanda was away for some of the time last year so the fact that she’s been here every day has been fantastic.

What are your favourite things about David? He’s a softie and has got a really big heart. Obviously he is funny but he also

really cares about people. He’s a very considerate thoughtful person. What are your favourite things about Amanda? She’s a real girl’s girl and she is funny beyond belief. She’s really witty and sharp but she’s also got a very motherly side to her as well. She takes care of us and makes sure we’re all alright. Amanda’s the kind of girl I wish I’d known when I was in my early twenties as she’d have been such a laugh to go out with.

HisWhat sense are yourof humour. favourite When things we’re about off camera, Simon? having dinner and just chatting, he’s really funny. He likes playing practical jokes and he makes me laugh. Also, when you have conversations with him they are always interesting. 12

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 Alesha Dixon – Q&A

What are your favourite memories from last year’s show?

So many! Every bit of it! It really was, from start to finish, a good ride. Finding a dog act that won the show was brilliant. I’m such a strong lover of animals so I thought it was fantastic. We’re from a nation that loves animals and everyone just fell in love with Ashleigh and Pudsey. Also, finding some other amazing talent, people like the Loveable Rogues, Jonathan and Charlotte and The Mend. Our final was so strong that every single act would have been worthy of winning it. I think it’s quite rare to have a final like that, so the final was definitely a highlight.

What type of act are you hoping will win Britain’s Got Talent this year?

haveI’m completely a preference. open Even-minded. though It’s singingnot my andjob to dancing be biased is my and passion, I don’t paI absolutelyrticularly love the comedians and the impressionists and the ventriloquist acts. I think it’s really important to stay impartial, wait to the live shows, and see who just blows us away!

What do you think of this year’s talent? This year’s talent has been great. Naturally, you have to get through a lot of bad acts to find a gem. Real talent and really special people don’t come around often. I

them.tend to When embrace that thespecial bad personacts, although comes alongsometimes you get I don’t that haveamazing any feelingpatience that for you’ve witnessed the beginning of a really great career. It’s a real buzz. There are already at least five contestants that I think could win the show.

Without giving too much away, what have been some of the best acts during this year’s auditions? Surprisingly, the impressionists, the ventriloquist acts and the stand-up comedians. There have been a couple of acts that aren’t from the UK that have come and been fantastic, which I think is healthy. I know some people can be a bit sceptical about acts coming from different countries but I say why not?! If they love and respect the show and want to come over here and audition then that’s brilliant! We’ve had a few, what I call, ‘alternative’ acts. An act where you can’t really describe what it is but it’s something you’ve never seen before and you know the audience are going to love it. 13

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 Alesha Dixon – Q&A

And the worst? Probably the donkey, even though I love animals! It was supposed to be an amazing painter but it just stood there and didn’t really do anything. There was also one dog act where I think I said to the owner: “my dog can do more tricks than that dog.”

Are there any surprises we should look out for? There are always surprises on Britain’s Got Talent. It takes a lot to surprise me but this year’s auditions managed to surprise me yet again. You sit there and you say to yourself: “how did they even come up with that idea in the first place?!”

What is your advice to this year's contestants? Stay positive and channel all your energy into working hard and practising hard. You can never practise enough. Just own the moment, really own it.

What are you most looking forward to for the live shows? I’m looking forward to seeing all the talent and what Britain has to offer this year. I’m also looking forward to the banter with the other judges.

Is it tricky to look glamorous on the red carpet when it’s freezing cold? Yes! It’s never good when it’s windy and you’ve got a floaty dress! Red carpets are always something you look forward to but you also get really nervous when the weather’s not good! That’s the only bad thing about being British, for red carpets the weather’s usually rubbish!

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Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 David Walliams – Q&A

How does it feel to be back on the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel for another year? I had really missed it. There’s six months where we’re not together as our little dysfunctional family, so I was really missing it and I couldn’t wait to get back. It’s not like anything else you ever do in your career; it’s such a circus, the whole thing. I love seeing all the acts – what people have decided might entertain the nation. I look forward to the bad acts as much as the good acts.

Do you think you are any different as a judge second time round? Possibly. I’m maybe a bit more confident about it because when you’ve never judged before it’s hard to imagine whether you’ll be good at it or not. You do actually have to say “no” to people as part of the job and I found that hard last year. I dreaded it before the first series but now I understand it’s important to be a successful judge. You can’t say “yes” to everybody. I think I’m a bit more confident about saying ‘no’ now.

The thing that is interesting the second year around is that now the audience watching the auditions have seen the last series and the relationship I have with Simon. So they are expecting me to make his life a living hell and I’ve achieved that once again.

What’s it been like being reunited with Alesha, Amanda and Simon? How have you got on this year? I think we’re all comfortable with each other. The girls get on very well; they’re quite a close unit. A lot of the time the boys and the girls are split down the middle with acts. Simon hates it that the girls get on because he much prefers it when women are at each other’s throats. Most of the time there is a very happy atmosphere.

What is your favourite thing about Alesha? Her laugh. It’s a bit like Muttley in Wacky Races.

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David Walliams – Q&A

What is your favourite thing about Amanda? I like the fact that she doesn’t take herself too seriously. She’s got a real sense of humour about herself and her life. She really likes rude jokes – the ruder the better. She’s a very glamorous woman but she’s got a very dirty sense of humour.

What is your favourite thing about Simon? His nipples - whenever I see him they always seem to be erect. You can see them through his jumper! The thing about Simon is that you forget he’s more famous than most movie stars. When he comes into the room absolutely everyone gets excited! We’re told he’s on his way – we get bulletins saying: “he’s 10 minutes away,” “he’s five minutes away,” “he’s one minute away,” so it’s hard not to get really excited that he’s coming. He’s got a very funny sense of humour. You never have a dull moment when Simon’s around.

What are your favourite memories from last year’s show? Being on stage with The Showbears, that was really joyous, and Dennis Egel’s wing falling off. I loved the fact that we couldn’t guess who was going to win because Jonathan and Charlotte were so brilliant and popular but then Ashleigh and Pudsey were doing something totally different. It was really hard to call.

What type of act are you hoping will win Britain’s Got Talent this year? We’ve had some really good impressionists. I would love to see a type of act that has never won before, win. We’ve had singers, dancers and a dancing dog but it would be great to see a comedian or an impressionist win. I think the impressionists this year were a really high standard, so I’ve got high hopes.

What do you think of this year’s talent? There are always new people coming through. There are young people who are really talented but then there are older people who are talented but they’ve just never given it a go. You’d think by now that anyone who had the talent would have already entered but amazingly there are still people who haven’t. I’ve been really pleased. You worry the well of talent might be dry, but it doesn’t seem to be. The only problem is that you get people who have seen Diversity, for example, and they do their version of that and of course it’s never as good, so that’s the only disappointing thing. I’m always willing people to be good so it’s sad when they are not 16 sad when they are not. 16

Under strict embargo until 00.01 Tuesday 9th April 2013 David Walliams – Q&A

ThereWithout are giving great singerstoo much and away, there’s what some have really been gre atsome speciality of the acts. best There’s acts during some this excellent year’s dancers, auditions? ballroom dancers especially, astonishingly good ones. We’ve been genuinely very entertained as judges sitting there watching.

And the worst? We had a very bad comedian who read all of his jokes from a piece of paper and managed to insult everybody. There were also people who amazingly hadn’t done any preparation. You always think: “wouldn’t you do a bit of preparation; you’re going to be on TV?” There are also some people who give up when it’s not going well, which is sad to see.

Are there any surprises we should look out for? People might be surprised when they see the girls get so upset with the boys over an act that they stage a walkout. I hate the idea of upsetting anybody. Simon’s used to upsetting people, so he delighted in it, but I actually felt bad. I hate falling out with anybody but we managed to patch things up. It was most peculiar. Simon and I tried to carry on the show, just the two of us, but it just wasn’t right - we did actually really miss them.

Another surprise is that I got Simon on the stage this year for the first time in the history of Simon Cowell being on television. I had to use all my weight, because I probably weigh about twice as much as he does, but I dragged him up!

What is your advice to this year's contestants? Work really, really, hard. For most people that are successful, what people don’t see are the years and years of hard work that has gone into it. I think there’s nothing like being incredibly prepared so you don’t crack under the pressure. There’s a huge pressure on this show. If you get through you have to perform on live television and ultimately you might have to perform in front of The Queen, so the more prepared you are the less chance there is that the nerves will get you. Also, be as original as possible. Originality as well as talent is really important.

What are you most looking forward to for the live shows? Simon’s the big boss so to some extent he can control what goes into the audition shows, but with the live shows he can’t edit those to make himself look good, so really I can get away with saying anything I want! So I’m looking forward to the anarchy I can have on live television. 17 17

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Stephen Mulhern – Q&A

How does it feel to be back presenting Britain’s Got More Talent? I'm over the moon! Seven years in and the show is still going strong - we're back with a brand-new series and I can safely say, from the auditions, Britain does indeed, have talent! I honestly believe this could be the strongest year yet.

What type of act would you like to see win this year? I've always said I want a magician to win the competition, but now I think perhaps that’s getting less likely. The good news for me, as I love variety, is a speciality act could be this year's winner.

What is new about Britain’s Got More Talent this year? In the new series of Britain's Got More Talent, we have a brand-new game with David Walliams, called David vs. Goliath. It's a gladiator-style game where they compete against each other with ridiculous challenges. We also have a new series of games for Ant vs. Dec – they are as competitive as ever! And we've got more access to the judges that we've ever had which is great.

What are your favourite acts from over the years? My top three acts from over the years have to be Susan Boyle, Diversity and George Sampson. Can you give us a few clues about what to expect from some of the acts this year? This year we have more variety than ever, including ventriloquists, comedians, and magicians.

What are your favourite things about the BGT judging panel? My favourite thing about the judging panel is how passionate they are and how they stand their ground. They all bring something different and a lot of experience in their field.

What are your favourite things about presenting Britain’s Got More Talent? The thing I love about presenting Britain's Got More Talent is that you can definitely expect the unexpected and we've definitely got some of the oddest acts on ITV2 this year 18 ITV2 this year. 18

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Production Credits

ITV Production Credits Executive Producers for Thames TV Richard Holloway Amelia Brown

Executive Producer for SyCo TV Lee McNicholas

Series Producer Matt Banks

Senior Producers Paul Jones Charlie Irwin

Day Producers Ashley Whitehouse Katrina Morrison

ITV2 Production Credits Executive Producers for Thames TV Richard Holloway Amelia Brown

Executive Producers for SyCo TV Lee McNicholas

Series Producer Tim Dean

Producer/Directors Peter Tierney Iona Mackenzie 19 19

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Britain’s Got Talent Qualification Rules and Show Format

The rules are, there are no rules in Britain’s Got Talent. The show is open to any act of any age, professionals or amateurs.

Audition Shows The audition shows were filmed in Cardiff, London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, in front of thousands of members of the public. At the auditions, each of the four judges has a buzzer with a corresponding red “X” that lights up on the stage. Once the performer’s time is over, the judges then vote as to whether the act should go through to the next stage of the competition. The act needs a minimum of three yeses to make it through. Although the members of the public watching the auditions do not have a vote, their reaction to the acts can sometimes change the judges’ minds. During the last audition show the judges will pick their favourite 45 qualifying acts to go through to the live studio semi-finals. Live Semi-Final Studio Shows in May (dates TBA) There are five live semi-final shows, with nine acts performing each night. The viewing public will vote for their favourite. The act with the highest number of public votes automatically goes through to the live grand final, with the second two runner-up acts left to face the judges who will pick their favourite between these two acts. With four judges, there is a possibility of deadlock if the judges are evenly split on their decisions. Simon Cowell will have the deciding vote in this event. Two acts from each semi-final will go through to the live grand final.

Live Grand Final (date TBA) Ten acts will go head-to-head for the public vote, with one act being crowned the winner of Britain’s Got Talent. 20 g 20

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Fun Facts and Figures

• Britain’s Got Talent was the highest rating entertainment series on British television last year.

• Britain’s Got Talent was named Best Talent Show at the TV Choice Awards in September.

• The show’s YouTube channel recently smashed the billion views barrier, making it the most watched YouTube channel for a British television series ever.

• The Got Talent format has been sold to 56 territories globally, launching in 9 new territories in 2012 alone. Over 500 million viewers have watched the Got Talent format worldwide since it first launched in 2006.

• Got Talent remains the world’s top entertainment format, featuring on more top ten lists around the world than any other show.

• Due to Ashley and Pudsey winning last year there has been an influx of animals auditioning. This year’s acts included a donkey (chaperoned by two other donkeys), a raccoon and numerous dogs attempting to live up to Pudsey’s standards.

• Since winning the show last year, Pudsey has flown on Simon Cowell’s private jet, sailed on the Queen Mary 2, danced the conga with Kim Kardashian and Alan Carr and appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He has already released his own AutobiDOGgraphy‘ ’ and is even planning to begin filming his first movie later this year. • Series one winner Paul Potts’ debut album outsold the entire top 10 collectively in its first week on sale. Simon Cowell is exec producing a film centred around Paul’s remarkable success story, with James Corden playing the lead role.

• Series three winners Diversity have become household names, having completed two sell out UK arena tours and appeared in films.

• Ted Hall is BGT’s oldest ever contestant. He was 92 when he performed with his granddaughter Grace in series five.

• Susan Boyle’s 2009 audition video accumulated over 120,000,000 YouTube views before the end of the year making it the most watched video of the 2009. She has now had over 500 million YouTube views and sold over 18 million albums worldwide, topping over 30 charts across the globe 21 over 30 charts across the globe. 21

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Morrison’s Got Talent In Store

Morrisons will be showcasing the talent of its store experts through its sponsorship of Britain’s Got Talent with a series of mini adverts starring real store experts.

The ‘idents’ - shown at the start and finish of advertising breaks - focus on the talent and skills of the butchers, bakers and fishmongers who produce the fresh food in each of Morrisons’ Market Street sections on a daily basis.

After a nationwide search and gruelling casting process, hundreds of hopefuls were whittled down to an elite few who best show off the real craft skills found every single day in Morrisons stores including experts from the deli, cake shop and pizza counters.

The mini adverts are shot in the style of a game show and form part of the supermarket’s ground-breaking partnership with ITV, FremantleMedia, Syco and Ant and Dec, which will run throughout 2013 to showcase the traditional skills – the butchers, bakers and fishmongers – that set it apart from the rest of the UK’s supermarkets.

The unique partnership that began in February includes the sponsorship of ITV’s hit shows Britain’s Got Talent and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway as well as a major advertising and brand campaign fronted by the nation’s favourite TV duo.

As part of this, Ant and Dec have already starred in three TV ads for the supermarket which saw the Geordie duo star alongside fishmonger, Dan Parr from Morrisons Jarrow store and Antony Ward, a butcher in the Knottingley store. As well as baker, Andy Leroy, from the Hadleigh store and Natalie Simpson, a cake shop supervisor in the Warminster store.

Dalton Philips, Chief Executive of Morrisons, said: “No other supermarket makes food in store in the traditional way that we do at Morrisons. We have more than five thousand trained butchers, bakers and fishmongers and we want to shout about it.”

Ends - For Further Information: Contact James French ( [email protected]) on 0845 611 5111 or Kirsty McNaught ([email protected]) on 07581211724

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ABOUT BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT Britain’s Got Talent is one of the UK’s highest rating entertainment shows. Airing on ITV, the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, it is produced by Thames (part of FremantleMedia UK) and Syco TV. The first series aired in 2007. The official Britain’s Got Talent website, www.itv.com/talent, is the online home for Britain’s Got Talent 2013.

ABOUT THAMES Thames is headed up by Richard Holloway, one of the UK's most experienced entertainment producers. Broadcasting and producing programmes in every conceivable genre since 1968, the Thames label plays a prominent role in the history of the British television industry. Now, relaunched as the entertainment arm of FremantleMedia UK, Thames has re-emerged as Britain's leading entertainment label. Split into two divisions, headed up by two of the leading talents in the genre: Suzy Lamb as Head of Productions and Andrew Llinares as Head of Thames/Syco Co-Productions, Thames continues to produce Britain's biggest and best entertainment programmes. With shows including The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, Take Me Out and All Star Family Fortunes, Thames continues to set the standard for the British entertainment genre.

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA UK FremantleMedia UK is the UK production arm of FremantleMedia, the global production and content business of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio company. FremantleMedia UK, comprises of a group of labels, Talkback, Retort, Boundless, Thames and Newman Street, which produce some of the UK’s most successful shows. The labels are headed up by some of the UK’s leading creative talent including Dan Baldwin, Jon Rolph, Patrick Holland, Richard Holloway and Paul Marquess. Across the group the labels provide award winning programming for all major terrestrial, digital channels and digital outlets. With an unparalleled range of programming including: The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, Celebrity Juice, Take Me Out, Over The Rainbow, Blockbusters, The Apprentice, You’re Fired, Can’t Take It With You, Four Rooms, Grand Designs, Great British Railway Journeys, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, The IT Crowd, QI, The Rob Brydon Show, The Sinking of the Laconia, Kidnap and Ransom and Holy Flying Circus - the Group has aired over 450 hours of programming on terrestrial TV in the past 12 months alone.

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators, producers and distributors of television entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, which is in turn 92 percent owned by the international media company Bertelsmann. FremantleMedia is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama, factual entertainment and kids & family programming, with market leading capabilities that extend from content creation to licensing, digital and branded entertainment, gaming and home entertainment. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia UK, FremantleMedia Australia, Ludia, @radical.media and Original Productions, among others) has one of the most comprehensive global networks with operations in 22 countries, creating over 9,200 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. The company also distributes more than 20,000 hours of content in over 150 countries. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought af ter and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right Farmer Wants A Wife G te Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten and Neighbo rs fremantlemedia com 23 Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours. www.fremantlemedia.com 23

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ABOUT SYCO ENTERTAINMENT

Syco Entertainment is a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music and is one of the world’s leading global music, film and television production companies responsible for some of the world’s most successful global TV and music franchises Syco Entertainment is also the world’s most successful producer of international talent with Syco Music being the record label home for such diverse international recording artists as Labrinth, One Direction, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Little Mix, IL Divo, Jonathan and Charlotte, Tate Stevens, Emblem3, Fifth Harmony, James Arthur, Ella Henderson and the Loveable Rogues. Syco’s television assets include the global franchises The X Factor and Got Talent. The X Factor was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia. Local versions of The X Factor are produced in more than 41 territories and the US version of The X Factor airs in over 166 countries. In 2012 Got Talent became the world’s biggest selling TV format and is now commissioned in 52 countries as a local format. In 2013 Syco continues to capitalize on the ongoing success of its established global hit TV formats and a number of new projects including new TV series Food Glorious Food and two films - One Direction’s 3D movie with Sony Pictures and ‘One Chance’, a film based on the success story of Britain’s Got Talent’s first winner, Paul Potts, in association with the Weinstein Company.

ABOUT MORRISONS Morrisons is the UK’s fourth largest food retailer with 487 stores and their business is mainly food and grocery - the weekly shop. Uniquely they source and process most of the fresh food that they sell through their own manufacturing facilities, giving them close control over provenance and quality. They only sell 100% British fresh beef, lamb, pork and poultry and they have more people preparing more food in store than any other retailer including butchers, bakers and fishmongers. Every week, 11 million customers pass through their doors and more than 131,000 staff members across the business work hard each day to deliver great service to them. With competitive prices and hundreds of special offers, they are proud to save their customers money every day.