A WHOLE LOT OF TALENT

The Britain's Got Talent team - along with stand-in judge Stacey Solomon - are already loving the energy on this year's series

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Amanda has loved every minute of her 19 years on Britain’s Got Talent, but when she had to slip into boss Simon Cowell’s shoes she admits she struggled.

Simon, 66, was forced to miss the first two days of filming the new series after falling down some steps and bumping his head. This meant Amanda took the role of head judge, while Stacey Solomon was quickly drafted in to make up the numbers.

"I hated sitting in that seat," says Amanda. "I've been on the show the longest, so I understand why I probably needed to sit in that seat, but when I was there, I felt very outcast on the end.

"It's OK if your team are sitting to the left of you - Simon's got dozens of staff and family watching from the side and communicating with him. Mine all decided to eat my snacks and sit in the dressing room paying no attention to the show or me!

"Simon said to me, 'You must have loved it. Did you feel powerful?' I said I hated it because I had to keep leaning in to be part of the conversation."

Amanda was delighted to have Stacey on the show. She says, "She's so lovely and I think we've got a similar style of judging. She's warm, super funny and has a great understanding of what it's like to be on the other side."

The 32-year-old YouTuber was thrilled to be asked to step in after Bruno Tonioli’s departure from the judging panel, and “very excited” to sign up to the show full-time.