Declan Donnelley prefers ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ without Cowell

Declan Donnelley says ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ is more exciting without Simon Cowell.

The co-host of the show thinks it has got its “spark” back since the TV mogul gave up his place on the judging panel.

This year Simon and Piers Morgan have been replaced by ‘Baywatch’ star David Hasselhoff and comedian Michael McIntyre, who appear alongside actress Amanda Holden, as judges.

Declan – who fronts the show alongside Anthony McPartlin - told The People newspaper: “The new panel is great. They have that spark BGT had in the first year. That has been lost over different series.

“This year it has been so much fun. Simon just put all the dogs straight through. But Michael, Amanda and David have been giving everyone a real chance and debating each one for ages.”

“It is a lot fresher and much more exciting.”

He added the variety show – which sees members of the public displaying their quirky skills – has different types of acts to previous years, because the new judges have different taste in what they look for from performers.

Declan added: “The two new judges give it a whole different feel. They like new types of acts that the old judges didn’t, so everyone has a better chance. Magicians never got much of a look in with Piers and Simon as they did not have much of a sense of humour.

“But David and Michael do. So the acts stand a better chance, we think. Dogs have less of a chance of course, now that dog-lover Simon has gone.

“Without him on the show it is wide open to anyone.”

Although Dec is happy with the way the show has gone, he doesn’t know what Simon – who also fronts ‘The X Factor’, which is launching in the US this year – thinks about it.

He added: “Is Simon happy with the line-up? I’ve no idea. I hope so but we haven't heard from him since the auditions ended.”