01 February 2023 , 20:00
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The talent on the new series of Britain’s Got Talent is definitely red hot - after one act set fire to Simon Cowell’s head.
The head judge and former X Factor boss was taken on stage by a mysterious, mute and masked magician and told to sit in a chair where he had a hood put over his head at the latest London auditions.
Lighter fluid was then poured all over the hood, then his head was locked in a box which was then opened at the front for the audience to see inside and the magician dropped a flame into the box and his entire head went up in flames.
One onlooker said: “The audience screamed, judges were out of their seats screaming, everyone was totally stunned. The flames were put out and Simon got up looking a bit shell-shocked while the rest of the judges breathed a sigh of relief as he returned to the panel.”
Afterwards Cowell, 63, said: “I could feel liquid being poured on me but I had no idea it was lighter fluid!”
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Simon's head was set on fire (PA)
Alesha said he was a 'brave man' (Getty Images)Fellow judge Alesha Dixon added: “Simon, he set your entire head on fire!
"It was very scary, you are a very brave man to do that. It made me realise how much we care about you, I was ready to come up there and rescue you.”
Amanda Holden said: “It was massively entertaining but horrific to watch. It was scary.”
And new judge Bruno Tonioli said: “It reminded me of a scene from that movie, Saw, seeing Simon’s head in that contraption. I was captivated, I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Amanda added it was 'horrific to watch' (GC Images)
Judge Bruno Tonioli recently joined the panel (PA)The judges are watching auditions at the London Palladium for the new series of the ITV show which will go out later in the year.
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno has joined the panel replacing David Walliams.
In his first interview last week he declared the show will be more successful than Strictly.
“This is the biggest show - now that I’m in it!” he said. “Now that they have me! I mean it. Oh, Simon is going to hate me saying that. Ha, ha ha.”
On signing up he added: “I do it because I love to do it. Amanda and Alesha - we’ve all known each other for years. The first show felt so natural. We have such a lot of fun. I’m very, very lucky - someone’s looking after me.”