It could all have been very different for one of the nation’s most loved TV shows

Britain’s Got Talent was back on our screens once again on Saturday, as fan favourites returned to the judging panel alongside hosts Ant and Dec.

But Simon Cowell has revealed the judging line-up for one of Britain’s most popular shows could have looked very different had a popstar not turned down the role.

Guest judge KSI was the latest star to perform the role in the new series, alongside regulars Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tolioni.

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It could have been a different story for BGT though.

Way back when the show started, music mogul Cowell actually wanted Cheryl Cole on the panel, following her success on the X Factor.

But after the Girls Aloud singer pulled out, it paved the way for Amanda Holden who went on to relaunch her career and become synonymous with BGT.

Cowell told the Press Association: “We’d offered the role to Cheryl Cole, as she was known in those days.

“A week before filming, she calls me and goes, ‘I just can’t do it.’ (She didn’t) give me a reason – I think she was freaked out.

“We literally had two judges and a week to book someone.

“I just knew it had to be Amanda because I’d met her and I really liked her – she was very funny and I just thought she’d fit the show perfectly.”

“Fast forward 18 years and she’s still a huge success and we have become great friends. I do consider her one of my best friends.”

Excited fans welcomed back BGT into their front rooms on Saturday night.

While Cowell’s show the X Factor was canned several years ago, believing it had gone as far as it could, BGT is still going strong almost two decades after it first launched.

In the first show of the new series, singer Vinnie McKee and comedian Will Burns both received golden buzzers and a ticket straight to the semi-finals.

There was also freshness in the form of YouTube sensation KSI, who brought his unique energy to the judging panel.

However, he was only filling in for regular judge Bruno Tonioli.