Skip to content

Dec blames weather as Britain's Got Talent goes off air

Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent

The stormy weather has been causing all sorts of problems across the UK - not least for the first live semi-final of Britain's Got Talent.

Monday night's show went off air for several minutes, as ITV showed an apology and footage of former winners auditioning.

Declan Donnelly is hosting the live shows alone this year while fellow presenter Ant McPartlin takes time off.

Judge Simon Cowell joked: "Ant, you are coming back next year - don't do that!"

Ant announced he was stepping away for a while from his TV roles following his arrest in March. He later pleaded guilty to drink driving and was given a 20-month driving ban and an £86,000 fine.

PA Shameer RayesPA
Shameer Rayes was one of the semi-finalists on Monday's show

When BGT came back on air, Dec apologised for "technical problems" due to the weather during the early part of the show, which is broadcast from the Hammersmith Apollo in west London.

He joked: "Going well so far!"

He also repeated voting information for anyone who had missed it.

Dec told the audience and viewers that nothing had changed since the last series, with the same judges and format, then added: "And the presenters... well, probably best not to dwell on that."

Another judge, David Walliams, later joked that Dec looked "a little tense" and offered him a massage.

Fans were impressed with Dec going solo.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

There was also an apology for the technical hitch on the BGT Twitter account.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Presentational white space

But one viewer tweeted in response about the first act, Cali Swing: "Annoyed that #Caliswing didn't get to speak or receive feedback on TV with judges!! Unfair to start with! They were fantastic!!!"

It's not the first time Dec has hosted solo - he presented the last two episodes of Saturday Night Takeaway earlier this year without Ant.

PA Ant and DecPA
Ant and Dec usually present the show together

The rest of the semi-finals will air throughout this week, with the final going out on Sunday.

presentational grey line

Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected].