Simon Cowell, the infamous judge known for his brutal honesty, has been under the spotlight for a surprising transformation. Once the king of cutting remarks, he’s now being described as softer, a change some attribute to the influx of talent on Britain’s Got Talent and his fatherhood journey since welcoming son Eric in 2014.
But don’t let that fool you. Recently, Cowell admitted to feeling remorse over his treatment of Susan Boyle back in 2009, calling his initial reaction “horrible.”
Enter Joe Baggs, the new face of the show’s spin-off series, who’s been mingling with semi-finalists for games and interviews. He’s got a fresh perspective on Cowell’s evolving image.
“I already feel like part of the family,” Baggs shared with The i Paper. “Funnily enough, I thought everyone would be a bit scared of Simon Cowell, but he’s so loved.”
Yet, Amanda Holden, Cowell’s long-time co-star, hints that the old Simon is making a comeback. After his recovery from a fall, she noted on Heart Radio Breakfast that during the 2026 auditions, “he was as right as rain.”
“He’s gone back to being really evil,” she joked, adding with a laugh: “He had a French accent.”
Holden wasn’t shy about her frustrations last year when Cowell was handing out second chances like candy. “This is not Britain’s What’s Your Third Song Choice? This is Britain’s Got Talent - you’ve got two minutes to change your life!”
Now, it seems he’s reverted to his classic ‘X Factor’ persona, which Holden claims is “much better, much quicker - brilliant.”
She even suggested that Simon’s injury turned out to be “a huge benefit” for the show’s entertainment value. “Simon’s gone back to being a baddie, which I’m really enjoying; I like it when he’s evil,” she quipped.
Tonight, the stage will be set for eight more acts vying for public votes and golden buzzers. Performers include Epic Sax Guy, Kristel Herrera, Rafferty Coope, Ren DMC, Sonny Green, Wei Yamin, Welsch Master Team, and Glantaf Boys Choir.
Catch all the drama as Britain’s Got Talent airs tonight at 6pm on ITV and ITVX.
