ITV has reportedly made the decision to stage the Britain's Got Talent live finals without a studio audience this autumn.
The current series of the reality show came to a halt earlier this month after the last of the audition episodes aired, with the coronavirus pandemic making the live finals impractical at that stage.
ITV had hoped that by September it would be possible to hold the finals, which usually comprise six live shows, with a live studio audience but producers have now conceded that it cannot happen.
"ITV bosses are having to plan for every eventuality and as it stands, the BGT live shows won't be filmed with an audience," a source told The Sun.
"If guidelines change and they can get in a crowd using social distancing, they'll consider it. But for the moment, the only people present will be a small crew and the judges, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams.
"BGT bosses know they can keep production values sky high and that while the audience have some role to play, most of the reaction comes from the judges. The plan is to make the show bigger and more daring than usual, distracting from the lack of the audience and making sure the judges are on the edge of their seats.
"BGT smashed the ratings when the pre-recorded auditions aired earlier this spring. The team behind the show think they can more than replicate that with the lives, even if the only applause you'll hear is from a recording."
The Voice is expected to follow suit and air its live rounds without a studio audience in the next few months.
Neil Wilkes
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