Britain's Got Talent judges launch the new series

Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden, Britain's Got Talent judges Credit: Ian West/PA Wire

The Britain's Got Talent judges lined the red carpet at the launch of the new series in London on Thursday.

Fashionably late, Simon Cowell arrived nearly an hour after the other stars, he joined panellists Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams at the ICA on The Mall.

Judge Amanda Holden said there was a series of young acts on the show this year who had been wowing the judges.

Amanda Holden Credit: Ian West/PA Wire

Creator Simon Cowell said acts from as far afield as Hungary and Latvia will appear on the show:

Alesha Dixon Credit: Ian West/PA Wire

This series will also see Cowell appear on stage for the first time in BGT's seven years on air, as he is dragged on stage by fellow judge David Walliams.

Meanwhile, in London's Covent Garden, passers by got a surprise when they pushed one of the show's iconic big red buzzers that had been dropped off by Ant and Dec.

The first episode of the series will be screened at 7pm on ITV on Saturday, going up against BBC1's The Voice.