Vernon Kay ‘tipped to host new ITV prime time show to REPLACE Britain’s Got Talent’ after the 2021 series was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
Vernon Kay has been reportedly lined-up to host a brand new ITV show to replace the now-cancelled Britain’s Got Talent 2021 series.
It was announced this week that this year’s series of the popular talent programme had been postponed until 2022 due to safety concerns amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
However, fans may still get their entertainment fix as presenter Vernon, 46, who finished third in last year’s I’m A Celebrity, is said to be fronting a new show in the prime time slot.
New job? Vernon Kay has been reportedly lined-up to host a brand new ITV show to replace the now-cancelled Britain’s Got Talent 2021 series
The latest ITV offering, called Game of Talents, will reportedly see members of the public team up with famous faces in a bid to guess the hidden talent of mystery performers.
If successful, the players will win a cash prize.
It is said ITV bosses are in discussion over whether to commission the seven-part series to take the place of Britain’s Got Talent.
If he does take the helm, it would be Vernon’s first major signing since finishing behind Giovanna Fletcher and Jordan North in I’m A Celebrity in December.
Pushed back: It was announced this week that the popular talent programme had been postponed until 2022 due to safety concerns amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
A source told The Sun: ‘Vernon may not have won I’m A Celeb but from day one he was the star of the show — likeable, warm and really down to earth.
‘Vern hasn’t been on ITV primetime since Family Fortunes six years ago, so it feels like now is the perfect time to bring him back into the fold.’
The insider went on to add that a decision on when the new show will air has yet to be made.
MailOnline have contacted representatives of Vernon and ITV for comment.
Winning: However, fans may still get their entertainment fix as presenter Vernon, 46, who finished third in last year’s I’m A Celebrity, is said to be fronting a new show in the prime time slot
Vernon, married to Strictly’s Tess Daly, has had a successful presenting career over the years, fronting shows such as All Family Fortunes, T4, Splash! and Just the Two of Us (with Tess).
The news comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Vernon will be stepping in for Rylan Clark-Neal on his BBC 2 radio show for two weeks.
Vernon will hold the fort on Rylan On Saturday from Saturday 6th to Saturday 13th February.
Vernon said of the news: ‘Really pleased to be filling in for Rylan with my Radio 2 debut! What better show to be on than a fun, high energy, Saturday afternoon slot.
‘The show & Rylan are friends of the nation and I am delighted to have the opportunity to join in.’
Great news: If he does take the helm, it would be Vernon’s first major signing since finishing behind Giovanna Fletcher and Jordan North in I’m A Celebrity in December
A source said: ‘Vern hasn’t been on ITV primetime since Family Fortunes six years ago, so it feels like now is the perfect time to bring him back into the fold’
It comes after the news that Britain’s Got Talent 2021 has been cancelled as the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc.
The hit ITV talent show had already been postponed due to safety concerns and the restrictions brought about by tier systems and lockdowns.
But after several weeks of speculation, it has now been confirmed that the show will now not return to screens until 2022.
Bosses of the show said that despite the efforts of the teams at ITV, Thames and head judge Simon Cowell’s Syco, they were forced to call plans off.
Pro: Vernon, married to Strictly’s Tess Daly, has had a successful presenting career over the years, fronting shows such as All Family Fortunes, T4, Splash! and Just the Two of Us (with Tess)
They said: ‘With our absolute priority of safeguarding the well-being and health of every person involved in the programme from judges, hosts and contestants to all of the crew and audience, the decision has been made to – unfortunately – move the record and broadcast of the 15th series of Britain’s Got Talent to 2022.
‘BGT is known for its diversity of talent with big dance groups, wonderful choirs and lavish orchestras at its heart, and it has become clear that not only is it not possible to film auditions with these types of acts in a secure way but also that they are not able to adequately rehearse and prepare safely.
‘Safety has to come first and, as a result, the recording of the show can’t currently go ahead as planned.’
The show, which features judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and David Walliams, has already faced its fair share of issues over the past year as, in addition to the pandemic, Cowell was forced to bow out after breaking his back.
Cancelled: Britain’s Got Talent 2021 has been cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Pictured are judges (L-R) David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden
Past BGT winner Ashley Banjo was drafted in at the 11th hour to serve as his replacement on the show last year when it aired several months later than usual.
Banjo and his dance troupe Diversity sparked an avalanche of complaints to Ofcom last series, when their performance included moments inspired by police brutality and the Black Lives Matter protests that were dominating the news cycle.
England was placed in a third COVID-19 lockdown earlier this month, with residents ordered to stay at home unless for essential reasons.
However most television and film production is allowed to continue as long as COVID-19 regulations, such as the use of masks and regular testing, are followed
Concerns: The ITV talent show had already been postponed due to safety concerns and the restrictions brought about by tier systems and lockdowns. Pictured are hosts Ant and Dec
Days before the cancellation of the 2021 series was confirmed, Holden addressed the rumours as she spoke on her Heart Radio breakfast show on Tuesday.
Amanda told co-host Ashley Roberts that bosses were still having discussions to see if it was feasible for the show to go ahead, or if it would have to be pushed to 2022.
Ashley asked Amanda: ‘So, there are rumours BGT may be cancelled due to COVID. Amanda, you had said the live audience is everything, right? Is that the reason?’
To which the judge replied: ‘Yeah, well I personally think that we shouldn’t do it without the fifth judge which is you guys.
Safety: Alesha recently said of the show being halted, ‘It’s obviously not an ideal situation, but the most important thing is the well-being of everyone who works on the show, and the public’
‘We need the people behind us, it’s the one show where it does kind of suffer and I’ll be honest, we’ve been told it’s on hold, but then we’ve been told something different so I think it’s fluid.
‘I think there are still discussions going on because it’s a big old show and there are a lot of people who are employed behind the scenes so it’s one that needs to be discussed a bit more in length.’
Co-host Jamie Theakston added: ‘It’s impossible to make a decision in an evolving situation, because we don’t know what the world is going to look like in six months.’
Amanda said: ‘Exactly and I think the producers are very keen not to let anyone down, so I think it’s still under discussion let’s say that.’
Controversy: Diversity’s performance on the most recent series of Britain’s Got Talent received 24,500 Ofcom complaints, making it the most complained about TV moment of the year
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