Britain’s Got Talent rolls into North East

Jan 31 2010 by Katie Davies, Sunday Sun

THOUSANDS queued around several blocks as the Britain’s Got Talent auditions rolled into town.

Clutching their tickets to watch the filming for the new series, lines of people snaked around the Journal Tyneside Theatre, Newcastle.

The first person in the queue arrived at 7am.

And around 2,000 more turned up to queue over the next seven hours.

Only then did the doors open for the first filming session.

But once the judges arrived it was all worth the wait.

Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan were back in their hot-seats, hands hovering over buzzers to either make – or break – the dreams of a host of would-be entertainers on the fourth series of the ITV talent quest.

The judges entered the theatre one-by-one and fans were not left disappointed.

Simon Cowell kept his fans waiting a little longer than anticipated.

But supporters chanted his name and waited anxiously for him to arrive.

On his entrance into the auditions he said: “It’s great to be in Newcastle. I’m looking for some great talent and if not Ant and Dec’s heads will be on the line. But if I happen to spot something I like I will take all the credit.

“This year I’m looking for something different, I will take anything. Maybe even a dog act.”

The acerbic judge walked casually into the theatre, wearing a pair of Aviator sunglasses as he chatted to a number of fans on the way. He even grabbed a fan’s phone to speak to her mum.

One judge that was particularly impressed with the North East was Piers Morgan.

On stepping out of his chauffeur-driven Chrysler the former News of the World and Daily Mirror editor said: “This is the first time I have been to Newcastle and I think it’s fantastic.

“We’ve got snow on the ground, the sun is shining and the people are great. What more could we ask for?

“Ant and Dec are from up here but I’m hoping the people auditioning today are better than them two. If we don’t spot any talent today then I’ll be ringing the pair of them.”