Amanda Holden compares BGT singer to global superstar as new series breaks record

Amanda Holden has compared a new Britain's Got Talent singer to a global superstar, as the brand new series sets a record for golden buzzer acts, who are fast-tracked straight to the live finals.

Previously, there were always five golden buzzers - one for each judge and one for the duo Ant and Dec but this year saw a total of nine, with some judges unable to contain their excitement over the performances they witnessed.

Judge Simon Cowell addressed the abundance of talent in the new series, which hits ITV screens this weekend, as he said: "I thought there were about another 17 acts who easily could have had a golden buzzer.

"That's how good the talent is this year. I don't think it matters. I mean, we don't want to get to the point where you've got 20 golden buzzer acts, but I think eight or nine is fine."

At 64, the show boss expressed his delight at the newfound fervour this season, which left producers scrambling to maintain some control, the Mirror reports.

Cowell likened the experience to being back in school, saying, "The teachers keep coming in saying, 'You know, can we try and keep the golden buzzers down? ' And they know we've got absolutely no intention whatsoever of doing that."

During the auditions, which took place in Manchester and London, Simon Cowell was amused when Bruno Tonioli got so excited that he actually broke the buzzer.

Finding the situation quite comical, he chuckled as he said: "I just knew something like that was going to happen.

"I love it when things go wrong or the unexpected happens, otherwise it's boring."

Simon is optimistic about this year's Britain's Got Talent, believing it will captivate viewers with its "heart, great stories and things we'd never seen before" which are all key elements to maintain audience interest.

He added: "You don't want to just keep repeating the same thing year on year."

Amanda Holden, 53, highlighted two golden buzzer acts - one being a singer she likens to Adele, calling her "really down to earth, very funny".

Initially mistaking her for a comedian when she stepped onto the stage, the Heart breakfast show host said: "She's a little bit rough around the edges, but super charming, very charismatic, very relatable".

"I thought, 'God, she's a little star'. The version of the song she sang was so amazing - for it to have had such an impact, it really affected me."

In a moment that had her in stitches, she made a second attempt at the golden buzzer following a comedy act that left her "howling" with laughter. "

She claimed, "I've never seen anything like it ever, ever, ever," adding that not even her nearest and dearest could have predicted what she'd go for.

She added: "I got the giggles because I kept thinking of what my husband and kids would think when they were watching it. They won't see it coming. He deserves the golden buzzer just for thinking up that act."

Reflecting a similar sentiment, hosts Ant and Dec also expressed their excitement over endorsing an entirely original performance.

Dec said: "Even in our 17th series, we have had stuff that we've never seen before. We've certainly not had an extreme pogo stick act before... alongside several other acts that are still surprising us after all these years."

Ant chimed in: "We just had to run out there and do it."

Amanda also didn't hesitate to express her desire to see a choir win the show despite her support for the opera singer and her two golden buzzer acts.

She said: "I would absolutely love a crowd of people to win Britain's Got Talent - to be able to split the money and have a life-changing experience together. Wouldn't it be amazing if the joy could be shared with those people's families? "

When probed about her favourite choir so far, she reveals they auditioned in Manchester, adding: "I just feel if they pick the right song and make the right arrangement, they have a really good chance."

Alesha Dixon shared her thoughts on the potential winners: "It would be great to see so many people win and for all the members of the choir to share the money.

"It's such a moment to perform at The Royal Variety Show and it would be lovely to see all of those people getting to share that memory together."

The 45 year old former pop star is known for her composure on the panel, maintaining discipline with just one golden buzzer pick, while her fellow judges may be more liberal.

She explained: "I quite like following rules - I'm very rebellious in my nature, but I do like a bit of structure.

"I only pressed my golden buzzer once because for me personally, it gives more value to the act that I've pressed it for."

She also commented on the experience of sitting next to ex-Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli: "It's literally like sitting next to an excitable puppy or toddler," she chuckled.

She continued: "Bruno gives you that lift in a session when you need a bit of a pick-me-up - he just injects that passion and that's always appreciated. But, like any toddler or puppy, occasionally they need to be told to sit down and behave."

Bruno Tonioli, aged 68, expressed his joy at joining last year's show and was eager to return.

He stated: "I enjoyed it so much. And as long as they want me, I'm on it, because they allow me to be myself."

Bruno Tonioli admitted he was surprised and grateful when theatre audiences started chanting his name.

The former Strictly judge said: "It surprises me every time. I love it! ".

Bruno, who replaced David Walliams on the Britain's Got Talent judging panel, said he thinks the audience enjoys his chaotic nature.

He added: "Maybe because sometimes I slip up and say things in the moment and I just can't be controlled?

"But they are very kind to me and they get my jokes! I speak to them like I would speak to my friends. The atmosphere is so good in the room."

Britain's Got Talent returns on ITV on Saturday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 7.40pm.

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