Britain’s Got Talent FIRST LOOK: Bruno Tonioli is FINALLY unveiled as new judge

Britain’s Got Talent finally unveiled their judging line-up on Tuesday as the show kicked off for another year – with Bruno Tonioli officially joining the panel.

Bruno said: ‘Here we are, Britain’s Got Talent. I am so excited. It’s my first show, I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m sure it’s going to be brilliant.’

Amanda Holden looked typically stylish on as she arrived to the launch, which was held in Soho, London.

The TV personality, 51, displayed her toned legs while sporting a chic blazer dress to kick off the talent show once again.

She was the second judge to arrive at the London Palladium after Simon Cowell, who flashed a thumbs up to the crowds. 

The duo are kicking off the auditions alongside returning judge Alesha Dixon and brand new addition Bruno- who took to the panel seat for the first time.

Amanda opted for a denim blue blazer dress with a shoulder pad and single-breasted design for the first day of auditions.

She teamed the ultra-mini number with a pair of glossy black platformed heels, adding a collection of gold jewellery.

The judge had her creamy blonde locks styled in a soft curl as she opted for a glamorous palette of makeup. 

Simon arrived moments before Amanda and showed off his recent 3st weight loss, looking very slim in an all-black ensemble. 

Speaking out on his weight loss in November, he put it down to a drastic diet change after overhauling his eating habits.

The media mogul added that a doctor warned he’d had ‘the worst diet he’d ever seen,’ and he’s ‘stuck’ to his new regime by cutting out pies, red meat and gluten.

Simon was joined by long-standing hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who were mobbed by the crowds as soon as they arrived. 

The pair appeared in high spirits as they flashed a massive smile and waved to the crowds on arrival.

One fan was extra happy to see Ant as they leaned in for a cuddle with the presenter, leading the duo to break down in fits of giggles. 

Looking forward to the day of auditions, Alesha Dixon shared an Instagram Reel to her Stories showing dancers giving a performance on Tuesday morning.

‘This is the kind of energy I want to see from anyone auditioning for @bgt today,’ she wrote on the post. 

And despite skipping pictures on arrival, both Alesha and Bruno also arrived to theatre, with the latter replacing the David Walliams after his departure. 

Inside the auditions, Ant and Dec introduced the four judges to the stage as they walked out to Survivor’s Eye Of The Tiger.

Alesha looked chic in a black leather dress with a cut-out torso detail, while Bruno made quite the entrance in a shimmering red suit. 

Read Related Also: Where Julia Fox Stands With Kanye West And Kim Kardashian Today

Jesting that Simon has ‘teased’ him with the job for years, one fan filmed from the audience as Bruno told the audience: ‘Thank you very, very much. I am thrilled to be here.

Turning to Amanda and Alesha, he continued: ‘Look at these girls, they are stunning. And my old friend Simon, what an honour it is to finally work with you, he’s teased me with this for years, years and years and years.

‘Honestly, I am thrilled to be here. Emotional, and very, very nervous.’

While Alesha then shared: ‘Well, do you know what Bruno? I think you should have a go at pressing the buzzer.’

The judges and audience then counted him down as the pro pushed on the buzzer, with Alesha adding: ‘Welcome to the show’, before he thanked his fellow panel and gave them each a hug.

On Monday, it was claimed that Amanda and Alesha were refusing to sign contracts for the latest series of the show.

The duo are said to be furious that Bruno will see his new salary match their own – an estimated £850,000.  

According to The Sun, Amanda and Alesha sent the latest series into chaos with bosses scrambling to secure the TV favourites ahead of filming beginning in  London next week. 

A source told the publication: ‘Amanda has been on BGT for 17 years, while Alesha is going into her eleventh year. They don’t think it’s fair a newcomer could walk into the show and be handed the same deal as them’.

‘It’s a bit of a headache for BGT given filming for the next series begins at the London Palladium on Tuesday’.

‘Bruno was still ironing out his contract on Friday too so it’s all very much down to the wire’.

MailOnline contacted reps for Amanda, Alesha and ITV for comment. 

It comes after it was reported Bruno would triple the salary he received on Strictly Come Dancing by joining the ITV judging panel.

The former Strictly judge Bruno replace David Walliams who left the show last year after ITV bosses who wanted comedian Alan Carr were overruled by boss Simon Cowell.

Bruno, who is said to be ‘delighted’ to return to Saturday night prime time TV in the UK, will now overshadow his former Strictly co-stars wage by three times.

Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are all believed to earn £250,000 per series on the Strictly judging panel.

It comes following battle between Bruno – a close friend of Simon’s – and comedian Alan for the role. The show’s judges Alesha and Amanda were told the identity of their new colleague in the last week.

According to the Daily Mail’s Katie Hind, Bruno is yet to sign the contract but the job has been formally offered to him following at tug of war between ITV and BGT boss, who insisted that he had the role following David’s departure.

Alan, 46, is understood to be ‘devastated’ at losing out on the job which he thought was his.

Source: | Dailymail.co.uk