The 15th season of Britain’s Got Talent has been removed from ITV’s 2021 schedule due to production-safety concerns surrounding covid-19, with plans to film in 2022.

A spokesperson for Britain’s Got Talent said: “Despite everyone at ITV, Thames, and Syco doing their best to make it happen, and with our absolute priority of safeguarding the well-being and health of every person involved in the program from judges, hosts, and contestants to all of the crew and audience, the decision has been made to—unfortunately, move the record and broadcast of the 15th series of Britain’s Got Talent to 2022.

“BGT is known for its diversity of talent with big dance groups, wonderful choirs, and lavish orchestras at its heart, and it has become clear that not only is it not possible to film auditions with these types of acts in a secure way but also that they are not able to adequately rehearse and prepare safely. Safety has to come first and, as a result, the recording of the show can’t currently go ahead as planned.”