Bruno Tonioli is reportedly on the verge of leaving Britain's Got Talent after just two years on the judging panel.
The former Strictly Come Dancing judge joined the lineup for Simon Cowell's talent contest in 2023 as a replacement for David Walliams, joining established trio Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
The show typically airs from April to June each year, but according to The Sun, it will be brought forward by a couple of months in 2025 to help fill the void left by Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.
The knock-on effect of that decision is that auditions will be staged in October rather than January, meaning that Tonioli is unable to participate as he will be in the US filming Dancing With The Stars.
The newspaper speculates that Tonioli could be replaced by comedian Alan Carr, who was previously rumoured to be in talks for the vacant spot on the judging panel after Walliams's departure.
A source explained: "Once it became clear auditions were starting in October, as opposed to January as per the previous 17 series, it became clear Bruno may not be able to take part.
"He's committed to the US, but the new format for BGT is non- negotiable because the show will effectively be replacing Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.
"Bruno has been a real hit with his fellow judges and viewers so it would be incredibly sad to see him go."
Carr already has an established on-screen partnership with BGT ever-present Holden through their BBC travelogue/makeover show Amanda & Alan's Italian Job.
The source added: "Alan Carr is a name that has been mooted - his chemistry with Amanda is already a winning formula - and he would bring a fantastic comic edge to the panel. A decision will have to be made in the coming weeks."
This year's series ended on Sunday night with singer Sydnie Christmas being crowned the winner of the £250,000 prize and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance.
Neil Wilkes
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