Simon Cowell will reportedly be physically absent from next month's Britain's Got Talent semi-finals due to conflicts with America's Got Talent.
The long-running talent contest was forced to take a break after the auditions aired earlier this year, with the coronavirus pandemic putting the brakes on the live semi-finals and finale shows.
ITV has now revealed plans to pre-record the semi-finals and air them over consecutive Saturdays starting in September, however Cowell will be forced to deliver his critiques virtually.
A BGT source told The Sun: "Simon is gutted to not be physically there for the semi- finals, but he'll be there virtually, casting an eye over the talent and imparting his views in every show.
"He can keep an eye on David Walliams to make sure he doesn't get too big for his boots while Simon is in the States.
"Normally, schedules mean Simon can do both but AGT's dates haven't moved while BGT's have due to coronavirus."
Cowell is expected to be back on the panel in person for the finale, which is likely to be staged some time in October.
Neil Wilkes
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