Britain's Got Talent's 'HUGE shake-up will encroach on Strictly's territory' in 'yet another move' to be crowned king of Saturday night telly
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Britain's Got Talent's next series will reportedly film a 'large chunk' of it's auditions in Blackpool, the seaside town best associated with rival Strictly Come Dancing.
Every season the BBC show's competitors travel north for a special episode where they perform for a huge audience at the iconic Tower Ballroom.
But now BGT may also be planning to film from the exact same venue in 'yet another move' to be king of Saturday night telly.
A source told The Sun: 'Strictly's annual jaunt to Blackpool is one of the show's "special moments" and is widely seen as a milestone for the contestants'.
'But now that trip will be replicated by its ITV rival, there's little doubt they're trying to encroach on their territory.
Britain's Got Talent's next series will reportedly film a 'large chunk' of it's audition's from Blackpool, the seaside town best associated with rival show Strictly Come Dancing (L-R) BGT's runo Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell
Every season the BBC show's competitors travel north for a special episode where they perform for a huge audience at the iconic Tower Ballroom (2023 winner Strictly winners Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola)
But now BGT may also be planning to film from the exact same venue in 'yet another move' to be king of Saturday night telly (Tower Ballroom pictured during 2022 Strictly)
'It's yet another move to take on the dominance of Strictly on Saturday night telly.'
MailOnline have contacted ITV for comment.
It comes after Davina McCall broke her silence on joining the Britain's Got Talent following reports Bruno Tonioli could be facing the axe.
The former Big Brother host, 56, has recently been standing in show judge Amanda Holden, 53, on her Heart radio show but has now ruled herself out of joining the ITV panel.
Telling The Mirror: 'It's one thing stepping in for Amanda on Heart, but I couldn't fill a seat on BGT. I feel that that would be wrong in some way'.
'Amanda is on Heart every day, but BGT is massive. I couldn't do it!'.
Last month Bruno, 68, hit back at speculation he won't appear on the next series and claimed he's be 'back with bells on'.
After the show came to an end last month, reports were rife the judging line up for the 18th series could undergo a shake up as filming for auditions later this year would clash with Dancing With The Stars in the US.
A source said: 'Strictly's annual jaunt to Blackpool (pictured) is one of the show's "special moments" and is widely seen as a milestone for the contestants'
They continued: 'But now that trip will be replicated by its ITV rival, there's little doubt they're trying to encroach on their territory'
But a source told MailOnline that Bruno defiantly declared: 'I'm not going anywhere. I will be back with bells on', when asked about whether his job was at risk.
It came following reports that Simon Cowell could be forced to axe Bruno from the show after two series by ITV, despite him wanting his pal to stay.
The former Strictly judge, who replaced David Walliams on the panel last year, is said to been branded by an executive at the broadcaster as 'one tone and hysterical'.
According to The Sun producers planned to take advantage of Bruno's scheduling conflict for the next series due to his commitments across the pond filming Dancing With the Stars.
It comes after Davina McCall broke her silence on joining the Britain's Got Talent following reports Bruno Tonioli could be facing the axe
The former Big Brother host has been standing in show judge Amanda Holden , 53, on her Heart radio show but has now ruled herself out of joining the ITV panel (Bruno Tonioli pictured)
Davina said: 'It's one thing stepping in for Amanda on Heart, but I couldn't fill a seat on BGT . I feel that that would be wrong in some way' (L-R) BGT judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli
MailOnline contacted Simon and Bruno's reps for comment at the time.
An ITV spokeswoman said: 'Any plans for Britain's Got Talent 2025 will be announced in due course'.
While another source told MailOnline: 'This year's BGT was a runaway hit and Bruno played a big part in that. He is much loved by the audience, the acts, his fellow judges, ITV and Thames alike.'
Simon recently shut down the rumours as he confirmed that the Italian choreographer will be returning next year despite scheduling clashes but admitted there will be some sort of stand-in.
Appearing on Heart Radio, the music mogul, 64, explained: 'I would not replace him. I love Bruno on the show.'
Simon explained that there is a problem with Bruno's schedule next year, therefore the star will be replaced for some of the auditions that he is unable to attend.
Clearing up the rumours Host Jamie Theakston asked the star: 'I'm gonna read you a headline from one of the papers today Simon... "Britain's Got Talent set to drop judge, Bruno"'
As Simon confessed the headline was false, Jamie pressed: 'Okay, well, what of that isn't truth?
Simon explained: 'Seriously. I spoke to... I don't know where all this stuff comes from. I spoke to the producers literally two weeks ago about there is a scheduling issue with Bruno.
'Because we're doing the auditions... some of the auditions this year and he's going to be in America.
'So maybe there'll be a stand in for him. I don't know. But I love Bruno on the show. I think he's brilliant
