Britain’s Got Talent is back — and this time it’s bigger than ever. Series 20 marks a landmark 20th anniversary for the UK’s most-watched talent competition, and ITV is already inviting acts from across Britain and beyond to step forward and take their shot at glory.
Whether you can sing, dance, do magic, crack jokes, or do something nobody has ever seen before, this is your complete guide to BGT auditions 2027 — covering how to apply, eligibility rules, what happens at auditions, the judging panel, prize money, and expert tips to maximise your chances.
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1. When Are BGT 2027 Auditions? Key Dates at a Glance
If you’re serious about auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent Series 20, the most important number to remember is 16 October 2026 — that’s the official application deadline set by ITV. After that date, the door closes, so don’t put it off.
Application window
Applications for the 20th series are open right now. ITV has encouraged acts to apply as early as possible to give producers time to review submissions.
Given the volume of applicants expected for the milestone anniversary series, submitting early gives your application the best chance of being seen and considered before producers start building their shortlists.
Open auditions
Alongside online applications, BGT also holds open in-person auditions at venues across the UK. In previous series, these have taken place in cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Blackpool, Reading, and Luton.
Series 20 open audition dates and locations will be announced on the official ITV website — check itv.com/britainsgottalent regularly for updates.
When will Series 20 air?
Based on recent series patterns, BGT Series 20 is expected to air on ITV1 from early 2027, running weekly on Saturday evenings at 7pm from approximately February through to the grand final in May or June. Series 19 began on 21 February 2026 — a similar schedule is anticipated for the 20th series.
The production timeline
Understanding the production calendar helps manage expectations. Filming for auditions typically takes place in October, around two to three months before the series airs.
Acts who apply online or via WhatsApp will be reviewed by producers, with successful applicants contacted for further stages. The full timeline from application to possible TV appearance typically spans three to five months.
2. How to Apply for BGT 2027 — Step by Step
There are three routes to apply for Britain’s Got Talent Series 20. You can apply online via the ITV website, send an audition via WhatsApp, or nominate someone else who you think deserves to be on the show. Here’s exactly how each method works.
Method 1: Online application (ITV website)
Step 1 — Visit the official BGT application page. Go to itv.com/britainsgottalent and find the Series 20 application link. Only apply through the official ITV website — do not use third-party sites.
Step 2 — Create or log in to your ITV account. You’ll need an ITV account to submit your application. Registration is free and takes under two minutes.
Step 3 — Fill in your Performer Profile. You’ll be asked basic questions about yourself: name, age, location, act type, and a short description of your talent. Answer honestly and clearly.
Step 4 — Upload your video audition. Record a video of your performance. BGT’s guidance: perform as if you are already in front of the judges. Keep it clean, confident, and show your best version of the act.
Step 5 — Submit before the deadline. Applications close Friday 16 October 2026. Submit well in advance — do not wait until the last day.
Method 2: WhatsApp audition
For the 20th series, ITV has opened a WhatsApp application channel — one of the most accessible routes to getting seen. Here’s how it works:
- Send your audition video to: 07387 361 518
- Video must be no longer than five minutes
- Include your name and location in the message alongside the video
- The full Terms & Conditions apply — review them on the ITV website before sending
The WhatsApp route is ideal for acts who find the online form less accessible, or who want to give producers a quick first impression of their act. Keep the video well-lit, clearly filmed, and free of background noise.
Method 3: Nominate someone else
If you know someone with an extraordinary talent who might not apply for themselves — a shy relative, a friend with a hidden gift, or a community performer who deserves a wider audience — you can nominate them directly.
ITV provides a separate nomination form on the BGT application page. The nominated person will be contacted by producers if their application is taken forward.
What happens after you apply?
Most applicants never see the celebrity judges on the day of their first audition — and that’s normal. Here is what the process looks like after submission:
- Producers review all applications and shortlist acts they want to see more of
- Selected acts are invited to attend a pre-screening audition, typically held at a local venue
- Acts who pass the pre-screen are allocated a place at the main auditions, where they perform in front of the full judging panel for the first time
- The entire process from application to potential TV appearance typically takes two to three months
The producers’ pre-screen is the stage most people don’t know about. In practice, by the time Simon Cowell and the other judges see an act, the producers already have a broad picture of who they’re expecting to see. Very few of the many thousands who apply will make it to a televised audition — which is why your application video matters enormously.
3. BGT 2027 Eligibility — Who Can Apply?
🇬🇧 BGT Series 20 Eligibility Checker
Answer the questions below to see if you’re eligible for Britain’s Got Talent 2027 auditions.
Before you apply, check that you meet the eligibility requirements set out in the official Terms & Conditions. Here is a plain-English summary of the key rules.
Age requirements
There is no upper age limit for BGT — contestants of any age can audition. However, applicants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all stages of the audition process.
The series requires proof of age. Colin Thackery won Series 12 at age 79, so do not let age put you off.
Nationality and location
Britain’s Got Talent is open to applicants from outside the UK as well as British residents. The show’s call for Series 20 explicitly welcomes ‘the best talents to exist in Britain and across the globe’ — international acts are welcome to apply and have featured prominently in recent series.
Who is excluded?
- Employees of ITV, FremantleMedia Limited, Maidmental Limited, or any associated company
- Close family members of the above employees
- Anyone connected to the production in a way that could create a conflict of interest
If any of the above apply to you, you are not eligible to enter. Check the full Terms & Conditions on the ITV website for the complete list.
Can groups and duos apply?
Yes. Groups, duos, trios and larger ensembles are all welcome. There is no restriction on act size. If your act involves multiple people, every member must meet the eligibility criteria individually.
Do you need a specific talent or skill?
No. Britain’s Got Talent is open to any performance act — singing, dancing, comedy, magic, acrobatics, dog acts, martial arts, spoken word, ventriloquism, impressions, and anything else you can perform on a stage. If it can be presented as a live act, it qualifies.
4. What to Expect at BGT Auditions — The Full Process
Many first-time applicants are surprised to discover that auditions are a multi-stage process. Here is an honest breakdown of every stage, from your application through to the live shows.
Stage 1: The producer pre-screen
This is the stage that rarely gets coverage but is arguably the most important. After you apply, producers review submissions and invite selected acts to attend a preliminary audition — usually at a venue near where you live.
At this stage, you will perform your act in front of a production team member, not the celebrity judges. Producers are looking for acts with a clear identity, originality, and ‘television moments’. Acts who pass are allocated a spot at the main auditions.
In recent years, the auditions have taken on what might be called a ‘ceremonial’ quality, with producers already having a strong sense of the acts they want to see before the judges arrive.
Understanding this is useful: your application video and producer pre-screen are your real audition.
Stage 2: The live audition — in front of the judges
If you make it to the main auditions, here is what happens on the day:
- You arrive at the venue and are given a numbered position in the waiting order
- You wait in a designated backstage holding area until called to the wings
- Once on stage, the judges will ask you a few questions — your name, where you’re from, what you do
- You then have three minutes to perform your act. A backing track is permitted if needed
- Any judge can press their red buzzer during your performance to signal they want it to end
- If all four buzzers are pressed, your performance is terminated
Stage 3: The judges’ vote
After your performance, each judge gives feedback and then casts a yes or no vote. If the majority vote yes, you progress to the next round.
If not, you are eliminated at that stage. The vote requires a majority — in a four-judge panel, three yes votes are needed to advance (though rules around tied decisions have occasionally been adjusted by producers).
The Golden Buzzer — what it means
Since Series 8, any judge or either of the hosts (Ant & Dec) can press the Golden Buzzer for an act they find exceptional. When pressed:
- The act advances directly to the live semi-finals, bypassing the deliberation stage entirely
- Golden confetti drops from the ceiling and the stage background turns gold
- Each judge and each host can only press it once per series (though rules have flexed in recent series)
- From Series 18, the Golden Buzzer has also been used in the live semi-finals, sending an act straight to the final
The Golden Buzzer is rare, dramatic, and game-changing. Don’t count on it — but know what it means if it happens.
Deliberation Day
After all auditions are complete, the judges gather on Deliberation Day to review every act that received a yes vote. They whittle the pool down to the acts who will fill the live semi-final slots.
Acts are then contacted to be told whether they have made it through. This is a tense waiting period that can last several weeks.
The live semi-finals and final
Semi-finalists perform in front of the judges and a studio audience in a live broadcast. Public voting opens after each performance.
The act that wins the public vote advances to the final, where they compete for the £250,000 prize and a slot at the Royal Variety Performance.
5. BGT 2027 Judges, Hosts & What You Could Win
The judging panel
The four-judge panel for Series 19 (2026) consisted of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and KSI, who took the fourth seat permanently after serving as a guest judge in Series 18. Ant & Dec continue as hosts.
Confirmed judges and any changes for Series 20 will be announced by ITV ahead of the 2027 series. Check the official BGT website and ITV press office for the latest updates as the 2027 production is confirmed.
The prize: £250,000 and the Royal Variety Performance
The winner of Britain’s Got Talent receives £250,000 in prize money and a performance slot at the Royal Variety Performance — a primetime ITV broadcast in front of a royal audience, filmed in November and aired in December.
For the right act, the Royal Variety Performance can be worth more than the cash in terms of exposure and prestige.
It is worth noting what the prize does not include: there is no record deal, no management contract, and no guarantee of ongoing support from the production company. What happens after winning depends almost entirely on the act, its existing relationships, and what commercial opportunities the win generates.
The BGT 2027 Tour
In January 2026, it was announced that Britain’s Got Talent would go on tour in 2027 — exclusively through Butlin’s holiday resorts during selected half-term and summer holiday breaks.
This is a brand new initiative for the show and represents an exciting opportunity for fans to see BGT acts perform live outside of the television series.
6. BGT Audition Tips — How to Stand Out
Tens of thousands of people apply to BGT every year. Only a handful make it to a televised audition. These tips won’t guarantee you a place, but they significantly improve your chances of being noticed at every stage.
Choose an act with a unique angle
Technical skill alone rarely wins BGT. The show rewards originality, personality, and moments that are hard to forget.
Before you apply, ask yourself: what makes my act different from every other singer, dancer, or comedian who will also be applying this year? If you can’t answer that clearly, sharpen your concept before filming your video.
Your video is your real audition
For online and WhatsApp applications, your video is the only thing producers see before deciding whether to invite you further.
ITV’s own guidance is simple: perform as if you are already in front of the judges. Do not film yourself talking about your act — perform it. If you are in a group, make sure every member of the act is clearly visible on camera.
Keep your video focused and well-produced
You do not need a professional production team, but you do need decent lighting, clear audio, and a stable camera.
A poorly lit phone video in a noisy room can undermine an otherwise brilliant act. Shoot in a bright space, minimise background noise, and keep the camera steady. For WhatsApp submissions, the video must be no longer than five minutes.
What producers are actually looking for
The BGT production team is building a series of television episodes. They are looking for acts that create a ‘moment’ — an emotional response, a surprise, a story that viewers will talk about.
Acts with a compelling personal story, an unusual backstory, or a talent that is genuinely hard to categorise tend to attract more producer interest than technically accomplished but predictable performances.
What Simon Cowell responds to
Cowell has consistent preferences across his career on BGT: he values originality over polish, responds strongly to acts that are commercially viable (singers, in particular), and is moved by performances that have genuine emotional authenticity.
He has also repeatedly championed unusual or unexpected acts — Paul Potts, Diversity, and Connie Talbot were all outside the obvious commercial mould when they first auditioned.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying with an act you haven’t fully rehearsed
- Filming a video that talks about your talent rather than showing it
- Choosing a song or performance piece that is over-familiar and lacks a unique angle
- Ignoring the deadline and missing the 16 October 2026 cut-off
- Submitting via unofficial channels or third-party websites
- Group acts where some members are not visible or audible on the application video
Q: Can I apply if I’ve been on BGT before?
A: The Terms & Conditions govern previous participant eligibility. In general, acts who have appeared in prior series have returned in some contexts (e.g. The Champions spin-off). Check the official T&Cs for the specific rules that apply to Series 20.
Q: Is there a fee to audition for BGT?
A: No. Applying to Britain’s Got Talent is completely free. You should never pay anyone who claims to be able to guarantee you an audition. Always apply through the official ITV website or WhatsApp channel only.
Q: How many people audition each year?
A: BGT receives tens of thousands of applications each series. Only a small fraction are selected for producer pre-screens, and a smaller fraction still make it to a filmed audition in front of the judges. Competition is fierce — which is why a strong application video matters.
Q: Will my audition be shown on TV?
A: Not necessarily. Even acts who audition in front of the judges are not guaranteed to appear on the televised show. Producers edit the series from a much larger pool of filmed auditions. Only the most compelling moments make the final cut.
Q: What is the 20th anniversary series doing differently?
A: ITV has described Series 20 as BGT’s ‘biggest series yet’. While the full details of any anniversary-specific changes have not yet been confirmed, the milestone series is expected to celebrate the show’s history and potentially feature special elements. Watch the official ITV channels for announcements.
Q: Where can I watch BGT Series 20 online?
A: Britain’s Got Talent airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX — ITV’s free streaming platform. The show typically airs on Saturday evenings at 7pm, with episodes available on ITVX shortly after broadcast. ITVX is free with a registered account.
Q: Can I apply from outside the UK?
A: Yes. The show is open to acts from around the world, not just UK residents. International acts have featured throughout the show’s history and are explicitly welcomed in ITV’s Series 20 call for applications.
Q: What is the age limit for Britain’s Got Talent?
A: There is no upper age limit. Any age can apply. Applicants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The show has had winners and finalists across a wide age range — from child prodigies to pensioners.
Ready to apply for BGT Series 20? Visit itv.com/britainsgottalent to start your application or send your video to WhatsApp: 07387 361 518. Application deadline: Friday 16 October 2026. Don’t wait — apply today.
Know someone who deserves to be on Britain’s Got Talent? Share this guide with them and encourage them to apply. The 20th series is the perfect moment for a hidden talent to finally step into the spotlight.
