Susan Boyle forced to pull out of Britain's Got Talent Christmas special
Due to COVID-19 restrictions
Despite Britain's Got Talent gracing our TV screens since 2006, unbelievably, 2020 will see the first ever Christmas special, featuring special performances from all four judges, David Walliams, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Ashley Banjo.
The episode, which will air on Christmas Day, was due to welcome back some of the show's biggest stars, including BGT legend Susan Boyle.
Susan, who stunned the nation with her amazing vocals back in 2009, was due to perform on the Christmas special, but she's now been forced to pull out of the show due to new COVID-19 restrictions.
According to reports, Susan filmed bits for the special in October, but after production was later delayed, it's understood the 59-year-old is now stuck in her home town of Scotland, due to new restrictions set out by Nicola Sturgeon.
An ITV spokesperson told the Radio Times, "Susan, unfortunately, couldn’t appear on Britain’s Got Talent as her area in Scotland as in a tier 4 category, (the highest tier of COVID-19 restrictions) at the time of filming and she felt it prudent to stay at home and not breach the order by travelling to London.
“Scotland’s tiers differ to England’s and the tier 4 category that she was in didn’t end until the 11th of December, which was after filming had taken place."
Check out all of the previous Britain's Got Talent winners below:
Paul Potts
Paul Potts won the very first show in 2007 with his hugely impressive singing abilities.
George Sampson
Break dancer George Sampson won the show in 2008 at the age of just 14-years-old.
Diversity
Dance group Diversity won the show in 2009, with Ashley Banjo going on to become a TV presenter.
Spellbound
The 2010 series also saw a dance group win in the form of Spellbound, pictured here performing with singer Katherine Jenkins that year.
Jai McDowall
Singer Jai McDowall won the show in 2011.
Ashleigh and Pudsey
Dog performing act Ashleigh and Pudsey were winners of the 2012 series. However, Pudsey sadly passed away in July 2017.
Attraction
Another dance group won over the public in 2013, as Attraction used shadows and puppets to create beautiful spectacles - pictured here with actor Terry Crews.
Collabro
Singing group Collabro wowed viewers in 2014 with their performances of musical theatre songs.
Jules and Matisse
Britain's Got Talent saw its second dog act winner in 2015 with Jules and Matisse.
Richard Jones
Magician Richard Jones won the hearts of the nation in 2016.
Tokio Myers
Pianist and music producer Tokio Myers won the show in 2017, pictured here with BGT judge Amanda Holden.
Lost Voice Guy
Lost Voice Guy, real name Lee Ridley, won in 2018.
Colin Thackery
Colin Thackery won Britain's Got Talent 2019 with a heartwarming performance of 'Love Changes Everything'.
Jon Courtenay
Comedy singer Jon Courtenay was crowned the winner of the 2020 series! Jon was a favourite from his very first audition, picking up Ant and Dec's Golden Buzzer!
Axel Blake
Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer act, comedian Axel Blake, was crowned the 2022 winner of Britain's Got Talent, beating the likes of ventriloquist Jamie Leahy and singer Tom Ball.
Viggo Venn
Norwegian comedian Viggo Venn won the 2023 series of Britain's Got Talent with his high vis jacket inspired routine. He said he was happy to have captured 'Simon's heart' as well as the nation's.
After rumours about a Britain's Got Talent Christmas special first started swirling earlier this year, ITV later confirmed the show and now bosses have unveiled an amazing line-up for the episode on Friday 25th December.
Ashley Banjo, who is standing in for Simon Cowell as he continues to recover from a back injury, will perform a special routine with his Diversity pals, whilst Alesha Dixon will perform a Christmas track alongside former winners George Sampson and Tokio Myers.
With Amanda teaming up with Collabro, David Walliams will take part in a comedy sketch featuring the likes of Francine Lewis, Lost Voice Guy, Steve Royle and Robert White, Daliso Chaponda and Katherine and Joe.
The Britain's Got Talent Christmas special will air at 8pm on ITV on Christmas Day.
Now read:
A special episode of Britain's Got Talent will air on Christmas Day
Britain's Got Talent: All of the winners so far