Simon Cowell and Bruno Tonioli were inseparable on Thursday afternoon as the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent descended on the London Palladium.
Outspoken head judge Cowell, 64, famous for his brutal feedback to hopeful contestants on the ITV talent show, was in a light-hearted mood as he attended a photo call at the iconic venue.
The TV personality was joined by fellow judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and show hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly on a busy Argyle Street, where a freshly laid red carpet separated a gauntlet of expectant fans.
And they gave them plenty to look at as they posed for an obligatory photo round, with Cowell playfully tugging on Tonioli’s ear.
The Italian dancer promptly reciprocated by grabbing a handful of Cowell’s behind as the four judges stood shoulder to shoulder on the Palladium steps.
A cheerful Cowell was also happy to indulge waiting fans with repeated requests for selfies and autographs after arriving in a casual Lycra top and black sweatpants – a contrast to his favorite high-waisted trousers.
Simon Cowell poked fun at fellow judge Bruno Tonioli on Thursday afternoon by pulling his ear during the Britain’s Got Talent photocall at the London Palladium
The Italian dancer promptly responded by grabbing a handful of Cowell’s backside as the four judges stood shoulder to shoulder.
In a dramatic start to the auditions, security was seen guarding the area after police arrived on the scene to see the ‘intruder’ exit.
The unidentified woman, who was pictured with her hood up, reportedly tried to “sneak” past security and enter the restricted area.
A Met Police spokesperson said of Wednesday’s incident: ‘Police were called at 1.23pm today to reports of a woman suffering from a mental health crisis in Argyll Street, W1.
‘Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended. The woman was assisted by officers who arranged for her to be met by a family member. There were no violations.’
A Britain’s Got Talent source said: ‘Police had to deal with a person outside the Palladium who caused a bit of a commotion, and the BGT team came to the rescue.
‘But BGT did not call the police and there was no threat to the judges as he did not enter the Palladium.’
Audiences reportedly heard chatter among theater staff saying an intruder was trying to “sneak in backstage” to see music mogul Simon Cowell and his celebrity counterparts.
Auditions for the popular television talent show, which seeks to find the country’s next star, have been postponed due to the chaos caused by the ‘intruder’, according to reports.
A cheerful Cowell was also happy to indulge waiting fans with repeated requests for selfies and autographs after arriving in a casual lycra top and black sweatpants.
The judge walked down Argyle Street with a gauntlet of fans before heading inside
L-R: Ant McPartlin, Bruno Tonioli, Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Declan Donnelly outside the London Palladium on Thursday afternoon
Cowell was in a light-hearted mood as he applauded fans outside the central London venue
She was pictured wearing a hooded tracksuit flanked by officers as she was escorted out of the theater.
Officers were seen speaking to theater door staff after the incident, as a small crowd gathered outside the stage door, with security staff standing by.
The judges and presenters have a busy few days ahead as hopefuls will flock to the London Palladium to showcase their talents in a bid to make it onto the show.
They started auditions Wednesday afternoon and will pack two blocks of audition shows a day into a packed schedule through Sunday.
They will then head to Manchester in early February for another five days of auditions, held at the Central Convention Centre.
The release date for the upcoming seventeenth series of Britain’s Got Talent has not yet been confirmed.
The release date for the upcoming seventeenth series of Britain’s Got Talent has not yet been confirmed
The presentation and jury team posed for photos in the iconic location on Thursday
