Amanda Holden is to replace Simon Cowell as the head judge on the upcoming semi-finals and final episodes of Britain's Got Talent.

The culmination of the series normally plays out live on ITV across a week in May but those plans had to be abandoned this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead ITV has pre-recorded the five semi-finals and will air them on successive Saturdays starting from this weekend, followed by a live final in mid-October.

Cowell has been unable to take part in the semi-finals after breaking his back in an accident last month and has drafted in former winner Ashley Banjo to replace him, but according to The Sun, Holden will be given the head judge moniker for the remaining episodes.

"It makes total sense for Amanda to be head judge with a deciding vote in a deadlock situation," a source told the newspaper.

"She's the only one, other than Simon, who has been there since day one and has seen it all.

"She cannot wait for the responsibility boost and is certainly going to take it in her stride."

Britain's Got Talent airs Saturday at 8pm on ITV.