Simon Cowell's Britain's Got Talent replacement has been announced
Diversity star Ashley Banjo has come full circle after winning BGT back in 2009 as he will now feature on the show as a judge as he fills in for Simon who injured himself in a bike accident
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Diversity star Ashley Banjo is set to replace Simon Cowell as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent when it returns to screens this week.
The switch up comes after 60-year-old Simon broke his back in three places after falling off an electric bicycle earlier this month.
Ashley, 31, shot to fame on BGT back in 2009 where he, along with his dance troupe Diversity, beat off stiff competition from now legendary Susan Boyle and saxophonist Julian Smith to win series three of the talent competition.
The dance star is coming full circle to now return to the show as a judge as he fills in for Simon while he recuperates from his back surgery.
Simon is recovering from his operation in Los Angeles and is said to be sitting out all remaining shows of the current BGT series.
Simon told The Sun on Sunday: “Ashley will be a fantastic addition to the panel. He knows the power of the show and the responsibility of it.
“I couldn’t think of a better person to sit in my seat whilst I follow doctor’s orders. I hate that stupid bike.”
Meanwhile, Ashley is said to be delighted to be given the honour of filling in for Simon.
He told the publication: “Walking on that stage as a 20-year-old street dancer from East London and now I am walking out there and stepping in for the big man.
"It feels really nice, almost poetic.”
Britain's Got Talent is set to return to screens on Friday night after live semi-finals were pulled back in May amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The show is set to return with five audience-less pre-recorded shows in the coming weeks.
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