Britain’s Got Talent’s live final may be filmed without a studio audience.
ITV bosses are putting plans together to shoot the finale of the talent competition – which is judged by Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams – with just a small crew, and there may not be a crowd, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
A TV insider told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre TV Column: "ITV bosses are having to plan for every eventuality and as it stands, the ‘BGT’ live shows won’t be filmed with an audience. If guidelines change and they can get in a crowd using social distancing, they’ll consider it.
"But for the moment, the only people present will be a small crew and the judges, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams."
But ‘BGT’ bosses are hoping to keep the excitement levels high by making the final "bigger and more daring than usual".
The insider said: "’BGT’ bosses know they can keep production values sky high and that while the audience have some role to play, most of the reaction comes from the judges.
"The plan is to make the show bigger and more daring than usual, distracting from the lack of the audience and making sure the judges are on the edge of their seats."
It comes after ITV launched pre-recorded shows in April after postponing the final.
The insider added: "’BGT’ smashed the ratings when the pre-recorded auditions aired earlier this spring.
"The team behind the show think they can more than replicate that with the lives, even if the only applause you’ll hear is from a recording."