Britains Got Talent

[Perdita]

Simon Cowell is willing to take a pay cut to stay with cash-strapped ITV.

Cowell, 49, whose Britain’s Got Talent returns tonight, said he is more interested in making quality TV than money.

His current deal is worth about £20million over three years. But he said: “It isn’t about how much I can squeeze out of them. All I worry about is ‘Can we make a better show than last year?’ I don’t believe in making the quality go down.” Cowell ended months of speculation yesterday by confirming he intends to stay with ITV when his contract expires in December.

He said: “I have a brilliant relationship with ITV and they have been very kind to me. I will never forget the fact that without ITV we would not have launched our shows initially. So as far as I am concerned I still owe them a debt.”

It is thought ITV’s top stars will be asked to accept salary cuts of about 20 per cent a year as the channel tries to cope with a worrying slump in advertising revenue.

For Cowell that would mean around £4million less from a three-year deal. But he said he would take a cut, adding: “My main concern is the shows we make and making sure they can afford to be made.”

The Mirror revealed last month that Ant and Dec, close friends of Cowell’s, were also willing to take a pay cut. Ant said: “It’s a tough time for everyone right now.

“If we’re offered less, so be it. For me it’s all about the shows.

“I just want to make great shows and brilliant programmes and money comes after that.”

I reckon they can still afford to live after this pay cut but it is good news if the shows continue to be shown

[DaVeyWaVey]

I thought it was a wonderful show - it really kept me entertained. I thought the guy that was going to blow up the water bottle was going to be rubbish but he was surprisingly good!

The guy with the Ferrero Rochers - why on earth would the Queen want to watch that?! Totally bizarre

Susan Boyle and Flawless were amazing.

Fabia made me laugh but I don't think what she has is a talent. I don't know how she got through to be honest.

[Abbie]

Fabia made me laugh but I don't think what she has is a talent. I don't know how she got through to be honest.

Cos they couldnt take their eyes off her

[tammyy2j]

The greek father and son dancers were hilarious - Stavros Michael Flately

[Abbie]

The greek father and son dancers were hilarious - Stavros Michael Flately

I loved that
When they both cam on I thought omg they are going to be awful cos they just they said they were gonna dance but didnt look like were bothered just cos of the way they were dressed. And then the music came on with the voice over and I though oh dear..... and then came on and they were brillant
Thought it was great father and Son just really good


Also that old guy! dancing awww bless him
And I love Ant and Dec they were so funny

And when simon said: hes gonna pay for that
I was just laughin my head off!

[Layne]

Im so glad this is back I like the fact its variety - its different to Xfactor and i like that

Greek dancers, flawless and Susan Boyle were all ace Susan suprised me - i was expecting her to be rubbish and screechy and to be buzzed off, but no, She really was amazing

[Xx-Vicky-xX]

I love this show but i really don't think singing should be allowed because we have xfactor for that.

The guy who danced like a tree was funny though and the greek father/son act was good, didn't think much of the chocolate eating guy, it isn't a talent, all humans can eat

[LostVoodoo]

I love this show but i really don't think singing should be allowed because we have xfactor for that.

i sometimes think that, but the people who get through are usually different to what you get on the x-factor. the woman doing show tunes or paul potts singing opera is very different to the teenagers and young 'uns trying to be cool on x-factor.

[sindydoll]

i think that woman shocked everyone...

[Perdita]

VIRGIN Susan Boyle’s BGT audition has been viewed 1.3MILLION times on YouTube — and now she’s getting offers from America.

Simon Cowell will give her a record deal whether she wins the show or not.

And single Susan — who admits she’s never been kissed — hopes her new-found fame will finally snare her a fella.

The strict Catholic wowed judges on Saturday’s show with a rendition of Les Misérables hit I Dreamed A Dream.

Radio stations and newspapers from the US to Australia viewed the clip online and are now lining up to talk to her.

When we told of her worldwide YouTube success, the community volunteer, 47, said: “Over a million? That’s incredible, it’s just fantastic.

“I can’t believe all of this, but I suppose it will sink in eventually. I had no idea the show was a worldwide thing.

“I never dreamed of reaching that many people. I am very flattered.”

Simon has first dibs on which acts he signs to label Sony BMG — and fellow judge Piers Morgan reckons he wants to turn Susan into the next Paul Potts.

The opera-singing ex-Carphone Warehouse salesman has made £6million since winning the 2007 series and getting similar YouTube fame.

Piers, 44, said: “As I watched Susan’s performance back, I texted Simon in Hollywood: ‘My god, she was even better than I remembered — she’s unbelievable’.

“He agreed, and I could feel his beady eyes going ‘kerching!’.

“For, unless I am a brainless aardvark, then this West Lothian villager is going to sell a lot of records.”

Susan says her village of Blackburn is wishing her well.

She hopes the show will help her find love — and admits taking a shine to Piers.

She added: “I don’t intend to be alone for long.”

We will see and hear a lot more from her, I am sure.