Britain's Got Talent heads to Blackpool

The producer auditions will come to The Imperial Hotel, North Promenade, on Sunday, hoping to find the next act worthy of performing in front of The Royal Family. The last time Britain’s Got Talent came to the town was during series six, which was eventually won by dog act ‘Ashleigh and Pudsey’. It was also, coincidentally, Alesha’s first series as a judge.

She said: “We’re going to kick off the series with Blackpool and there’s always so much focus on the first place we go to.

“I’m excited to come back, I think Blackpool is the UK version of Las Vegas, just without the hot weather!

“It’s always good fun up there and we’ll be eating a lot of fish and chips.

“It’s always nice when we visit somewhere we haven’t been for a long time. It brings a new, fresh energy, it’s great for the locals and people in the surrounding area.

“I’m really pleased for everyone in Blackpool. We’re going to come and make some noise, I’m really excited.”

Alesha has already appeared in Blackpool once already this year, performing as part of the first ever ‘Slimefest’ and she’s hoping that the audience for the auditions will live up to her high expectations.

“The audience were brilliant, it was a great show, there were lots of great artists on the bill and we had a great day,” she said.

“I think Londoners are really spoiled, I think the further north you go, the people have a more appreciative, more welcoming attitude when people come up to see them because you don’t have as much things going on as London.

“I’ve performed in Blackpool many times and been up here for work many times in the past 10 years and it’s always lovely.”

In 2015, Blackpool-born Jules O’Dwyer won the competition with her dog Matisse, and this year’s series was won by magician Richard Jones.

Alesha is hoping, once again, that a true variety act can take centre stage.

She added: “I love the fact that it’s a variety show and that anybody doing anything extraordinary has a chance to win.

“I love the fact that a magician won last year and I’d love to see a stand-up comedian win, or a ventriloquist, or just something different that keeps driving home that message that it doesn’t matter what you do.

“As long as the public think you’re brilliant and you’ve got a special talent, don’t be shy. I think there are so many people out there who just need that bit of confidence or that little nudge.”

Apply via www.itv.com/talent. You can also apply by sending in a video audition of your act.