Alesha Dixon has urged 'Britain's Got Talent' wannabes to "aim high" - warning they will do themselves a "disservice" if they go on the show for a "lovely day out".
Alesha Dixon
The panellist has encouraged hopefuls to not to "downplay" themselves, because by setting their sights high they will at least "learn something", even if they do not triumph on the programme.
She said: "I actually think that if you turn up to the show just for a lovely day out, you're doing yourself a disservice.
"I think you've got to aim high. If you don't win, that's OK; you're going to learn something, you're going to grow as a performer, you're going to learn new things.
"It's not so much about, 'I have to win the show,' but it's having a winning mindset.
"So not downplaying yourself, not doing yourself a disservice but having self-belief and thinking like a winner. It's more about a mentality."
But the 41-year-old star fully subscribes to Simon Cowell's philosophy - with the media mogul previously stating winning is more important than just participating.
She said: "I know what he's saying, because some people just show up and go, 'Oh, I just wanted to sing in front of my kids.' And you think, 'Well, you could do that at home.'
"If you're going to come on the stage in front of all these people and put your livelihood on the line or whatever it is, then just go for it, because you only live once.
"The worst thing that could happen is that you don't win the show, but you'll become better for it regardless, as long as you've done your best."
Alesha thinks the family friendly element to the programme is partly why 'BGT' continues to carry such significance, even after being on air for 14 years.
She added: "I think it's a combination of a few things.
"You know, I could sit with my daughter and my nan, and we can all enjoy the show. There are not many shows you can do that with now.
"So, just from a family viewing point of view on a Saturday night, it's so important.
"And then, obviously going back to the roots and the bones of it, we're giving the everyday person some inspiration and a platform to change their lives. I love that.
"When we say, 'Go for it, you've got two minutes to change your life,' we mean it because that's what literally happens."
Tagged in Simon Cowell