BGT heading back to town

Britain's Got Talent judging panel, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell

And the quest to find hitherto unsung singers, dancers, acrobats, magicians and other types of novelty performer has a new venue for auditions: Wigan Little Theatre.

The show has already found several local stars-in-the-making, including schoolboy singer-guitarist Henry Gallagher and Paul Dolman (a comedy song and dance version of Doctor Who nemesis Davros) who both reached the live final.

The Britain’s Got Talent team will be at WLT on Wednesday July 27 between 11am and 3pm. Successful acts will then be in with a chance of securing a place at one of the judges’ auditions in 2017.

The show is open to any performer of any age, with any talent - all entrants need is a skill and star quality which they think will impress.

Anything goes from conjurors to comedians, drag acts to singers and acrobats to performing pets. Aspiring acts can also apply now via www.itv.com/talent and register for one of the audition days later in the year.

They can also apply by sending in a video audition of their act.

Executive producer Amelia Brown said “We’ve had some amazing winners over the last 10 series, from this year’s champion Richard Jones, who was the first magician to ever win the show, right through to Paul Potts, Diversity and Collabro.

“We can’t wait to see what talent Wigan has to offer. Anyone can apply - there is no age limit and we are looking for all kinds of talents, so if you feel you have something special to show us then make sure you apply. You never know where it might take you.”

This year marked the 10th anniversary of Britain’s Got Talent with soldier and magician Richard Jones being crowned the winner. He captivated the nation with his mind-reading performances and his moving finale performance and tribute to WWII prisoner of war and magician, Fergus Anckorn.

Later this year, Richard will fulfil his dream of performing in front of The Royal Family at the Royal Variety Performance.

He is also appearing in the thrilling West End show Impossible at the Noël Coward Theatre this summer.

Among the show’s other successes, Susan Boyle has sold over 20 million records worldwide, Diversity have had five sell-out nationwide tours, and Paul Potts is a multi-platinum selling artist.