This is when Britain's Got Talent is coming back to TV

Britain’s Got Talent is set to return to our TV screens this September, ITV has confirmed, after the programme took a filming break due to coronavirus. Like many other many TV shows in production at the start of the year, the popular talent show series was forced to pause its filming schedule due to the start of coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent nationwide lockdown. What date will the show air? This year’s semi-finals were scheduled to air in May but will now be spread across five pre-recorded episodes, starting from 5 September. The grand finale will air in October. The winner will not only become £250,000 richer, but they will also receive a slot at the Royal Variety Performance. Due to social distancing measures and self-isolation, some acts will have to take part in the show through a video link, while others will perform in the TV studio, but not in front of a live audience. Replacing the live audience will be a virtual audience, watching from their homes and their reactions, much like the Channel 4 show GoggleBox. Their reactions will then be broadcast into the studio on a giant screen. Simon Cowell won't be able to take part in the upcoming episodes, due to his ongoing recovery from back surgery. Cowell broke his back in several places earlier this month, after a fall from an electric bike at his house in Malibu. He was taken to hospital for a number of procedures, including having a metal rod put in his back. Who will be replacing Cowell? Diversity star, Ashley Banjo, will replace Cowell in the judging panel for the semi-finals. Ashley Banjo is leader of dance troupe, Diversity, who won the third series of the talent show in 2009. Banjo was also a judge on the Sky1 talent show, Got to Dance, and co-presenter of the Saturday night BBC game show, Can't Touch This. Banjo will join regular judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams on the Britain’s Got Talent panel.

This is when Britain's Got Talent is coming back to TV - and who will replace Simon Cowell

What date will the show air?