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'Britain's Got Talent' judges reunite with Simon Cowell as auditions get underway

(left to right) Judges David Walliams, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon arrive for Britain's Got Talent auditions held at The London Palladium, Soho in London. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022.
Britain's Got Talent Judges David Walliams, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon at The London Palladium (Press Association)

Britain's Got Talent auditions are officially underway as Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden came together at The London Palladium for live auditions on Monday.

After the previous year’s competition was cancelled as a result of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, viewers can look forward to the return of the ITV talent show which is due to air on screens later this year.

Excitement for the show's return was clear to see as long-serving presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly made a dramatic entrance running down the red carpet.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly run onto the red carpet at the Britain's Got Talent Auditions at the London Palladium on January 18, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly run onto the red carpet at Britain's Got Talent Auditions (Getty Images/Eamonn M. McCormack)

The award-winning duo appeared to channel their inner Maverick as they sported matching Top Gun pilot uniforms, inspired by the British Red Arrows, for a skit that will air when the new series kicks off.

Read more: Simon Cowell's bike accident was 'catalyst for proposal'

Watch: Amanda Holden hopes Simon Cowell gets married this year in Barbados after his shock engagement

Meanwhile, the judges also looked delighted to be back at work on the hit competition series and posed together for a smiling snap while they sat together in the Palladium.

"Ahhh, look how gorgeous our Judges look!", the caption read on the official BGT Twitter page.

The group's reunion came after the 2020 series was interrupted by the pandemic during the final stages of the show, with the show being pushed back to the autumn.

(left to right) Judges David Walliams, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, and hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly arrive for Britain's Got Talent auditions held at The London Palladium, Soho in London. Picture date: Tuesday January 18, 2022.
(left to right) Judges David Walliams, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, and hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly arrive for Britain's Got Talent 2022 (PA)

However, Cowell wasn’t able to return for the finals after injuring his back on an electric bike, so Ashley Banjo was enlisted to join the panel alongside Walliams, Dixon and Holden.

The Diversity star also returned to fill in for Cowell during the Christmas special.

Cowell's return to the show comes after it was revealed the 62-year-old became engaged to his 44-year-old girlfriend on Christmas Eve 2021 in Barbados.

The X Factor judge's 71-year-old brother Tony claimed his recent bike accident was a "catalyst" for the decision as he told Best magazine: "I believe that accident was the catalyst for Simon. He began to think about his future, and who to share it with.

"I am very fond of Lauren; she is both a caring mum and a loyal companion to Simon. She is constantly reaching out to all our family, and was incredibly supportive to all of us following our mum’s death in 2015."

Watch: How would’ve Simon Cowell’s late mother reacted to his engagement news?