Simon Cowell is set to miss this year’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ semi-finals.
The show judge is expected to appear via video link due to a clash with the US version of the programme, ‘America’s Got Talent’, as a result of the UK show’s schedule being changed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A source said: "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."
ITV recently confirmed ‘BGT’ will return this autumn, and Simon is hoping to be back for the October final.
The source added to The Sun newspaper: "Normally, schedules mean Simon can do both but AGT’s dates haven’t moved while BGT’s have due to coronavirus."
Before the semi-finals kick off, ITV revealed last week there will be a one-off catch-up show to get viewers back up to speed.
The semis were due to air in the spring, but had to be put back as a result of the pandemic.
Simon – who appears on the judging panel with David, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden – previously hinted he would be against filming without an audience, after admitting he "wouldn’t want to do that again" following his ‘America’s Got Talent’ experience.
He said: "I wouldn’t want to do that again in the future. The expression, ‘The show must go on,’ to a point, we did as much as we could. And then after two days, we realised we had to finish."