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Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions line-up – which past acts are taking part in the show?
SIMON Cowell's Britain's Got Talent: The Champions is commencing on Saturday and will see star acts from previous seasons compete to be crowned the ultimate champion.
Here's what you need to know about the line-up of the music mogul's new spin-off show...
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Which acts are taking part in Britain's Got Talent: The Champions?
Show bosses are yet to reveal the official line-up for the revamped ITV show, however, that has not stopped some speculating.
Names being thrown in the mix include Jai MacDowall, Stavros Flatley and George Sampson.
The official trailer for Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions appears to confirm the following are competing in the programme.
Jai MacDowall
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Jai MacDowall, a Scottish singer who won the 2011 series, has been tipped to join the show.
He beat fan-favourite Ronan Parke to be crowned the winner of fifth series at the age of 24.
Since appearing on the programme he has performed on the live final of China's Got Talent, as well as at the Queen's Jubilee.
Also, the singer has headlined his own Scottish tour and is currently working on his second album.
He is reportedly replacing Susan Boyle in The Champions, as she is said to be unable to film the new series.
A source told The Sun:"They didn’t want to be short of contestants and SuBo was looking unlikely to confirm her appearance.
"Jai was ecstatic and will be putting his heart into the show, in the hope of making it right to the end."
Stavros Flatley
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Stavros Flatley whipped BGT viewers into a frenzy when they auditioned for the 2009 series.
Now, it is believed they are returning to the show a decade after wowing judges with their topless routines.
The father and son duo - Demi and Lagi Demetriou - performed Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance for their audition in the third series.
A source told the Daily Star: “Stavros Flatley have signed up to take part in Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions.
“They are one of the most iconic names ever to take part in the show so signing them up to the show was a no-brainer for Simon.”
Paul Potts
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The opera singer stunned judges and viewers with his incredible vocals in the first series of Britain's Got Talent.
In January 2019, Paul Potts performed at American's Got Talent: The Champions.
His rendition of the classic song, Caruso, earned him a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel.
George Sampson
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George Sampson was just 14 when he won the show in 2008, following his dance to Mint Royale's remix of Singin' in the Rain.
His semi-final performance of the song later saw it rise to number one in the UK.
After winning the series, he went on to make his West End debut in the hip-hop musical Into the Hoods.
He has also appeared in several shows, including the BBC drama Waterloo Road and Mount Pleasant.
Ashleigh and Sully
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Ashleigh Butler was victorious in 2012 when she appeared on the show with her beloved dog Pudsey.
The mutt was such a hit with Simon, he produced Pudsey: The Movie, with David Walliams voicing the dog.
However, since the passing of the pooch Ashleigh has been performing with a canine called Sully.
After announcing Pudsey's replacement in 2017, she said Sully would "never become Pudsey".
Collabro
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The five-piece faced tough competition in the 2014 final, as all the finalist were singers.
The classical music group beat songstress Lucy Kay and Bars and Melody to win the eighth series of Britain’s Got Talent.
Since winning the show, the group have released three albums, however, the band is now a four-piece.
Original member Richard Hadfield left the group in 2016, with his departure announced after the group returned to the BGT stage to perform that same year.
Connie Talbot
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Connie may only be 18 but she is a BGT veteran after coming second to Paul Potts in the first ever series of the show.
She appeared on the first ever series of Britain's Got Talent in 2007 when she was aged six.
Despite never having received singing lessons she wowed the judges.
In the final she sang Somewhere Over The Rainbow but missed out to winner Paul Potts.
Simon Cowell originally intended to sign Connie to his label Sony BMG but pulled out of the deal after deciding she was too young.
Ben Hart
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Magician Ben competed in the 2019 BGT and made it to the final - missing out to Colin Thackery.
He is also a Gold Star Member of the Inner Magic Circle who grew up in Winchester.
In 2007, he was awarded the Young Magician Of The Year award by The Magic Circle.
Since auditioning on Britain's Got Talent, the judges, viewers and even celebrities have spoken out to say how spooked they've been by his incredible tricks.
Lost Voice Guy
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2018 winner Lost Guy Voice will be back with his hilarious act.
He also recently wowed audiences on America's Got Talent: The Champions.
It wasn't until 2012 that Lee began performing comedy - inspired by a gig held by Ross Noble in which Lee challenged him to do an impression of physicist Stephen Hawking.
Twist and Pulse
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The dancing duo came second in 2012, losing out to Spelbound.
Twist and Pulse consist of Ashley Glazebrook (Twist) and Glen Murphy (Pulse).
In their original audition, they danced to a melody of songs, including the EastEnders theme tune and a song by the Cheeky Girls.
Merseygirls
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Dancing troup Merseygirls will return to the BGT stage after making it to the finals in 2017.
Julia, Annie and Alice, Rebecca and Poppy make up the group, who formed when they were just five years old.
The girls wowed on their first audition on series 11 of Britain's Got Talent and received the coveted Golden Buzzer from judge Alesha Dixon.
They then got through to the final where they came in fourth place.
Simon Cowell paid £175,000 for Julia to have surgery on her back.
Colin Thackery
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Reigning champion Colin will be belting out a song once again, just three months since winning the show.
Colin is an 89-year-old Army veteran and a singer.
He joined the Army at the age of 15 and met his wife Joan at an Army camp dance in County Durham.
Colin bowled over the judges and the nation with his songs in memory of his late wife.
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What is Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions?
Simon Cowell has revealed he is launching Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions after the success of the American version.
In February 2019, the 59-year-old laid out his four-year grand plan to overhaul his biggest TV brands exclusively to The Sun.
The show will feature winners, finalists and other successful contestants from Britain's Got Talent and other international franchises of the series.
They will compete against each other for spots in a championship final.
MORE ON THE CHAMPIONS
When is Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions on TV?
ITV has confirmed the BGT spin-off will start on Saturday, August 31.
The series will run for six weeks - with this in mind the show is likely to end on October 5, 2019.
We know that the final was taped at Wembley Arena at the end of July.
Embarrassingly enough, the act who won the contest showed off their trophy outside the arena - we won’t spoil it for you, but if you do care to know who’s won the show, a simple Twitter search will bring up the answer in no time.
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