BGT
'Britain's Got Talent' has been named the world's most successful reality talent show format.
The ITV talent show, which was devised by Simon Cowell in 2005, has replaced BBC One's 'Strictly Come Dancing' as the most popular talent show format in the Guinness Book of Records after it successfully launched in over 50 countries.
The most recent nations out of a list of 58 who have copied the template include Brazil, Kazakhstan and Iceland, and Simon has thanked everyone who has contributed to its success.
He said: "I am very proud that 'Got Talent' is a homegrown British show. We owe its success to a group of talented producers all over the world who have made this happen. And of course, to the amazing talent."
The media mogul first came up with the idea for the show in 2005 and it began as a pilot with comedian Paul O'Grady as host but he decided to withdraw from the project, prompting Simon to take the idea to the United States where he launched 'America's Got Talent' in 2006 prior to the introduction of 'Britain's Got Talent' in 2007.
Presenters Ant and Dec have been hosts since the first series, while Amanda Holden has been a consistent member of the judging panel alongside a number of other stars including Michael McIntyre, David Hasselhoff and Kelly Brook.
'Little Britain' comedian David Walliams and Alesha Dixon joined in 2012 and will appear on the panel with Amanda and Simon for the new series which kicks off on Saturday (12.04.14).
Tagged in Amanda Holden Simon Cowell Paul O' Grady