PIERS Morgan has told how Britain’s Got Talent bosses begged him to return to the show in place of Simon Cowell.
However, the 55-year-old turned them down, saying he wouldn’t do the show without his old pal. Producers then hired Diversity’s Ashley Banjo instead.
Piers Morgan said he was invited back on the BGT panel with Amanda
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Piers Morgan said he was invited back on the BGT panel with AmandaCredit: Rex Features
Simon was sidelined from the show after a serious accident where he broke his back after crashing his electric bike near his California home.
And while the 61-year-old recovered, Piers explained producers repeatedly asked him to step into his spot on BGT’s panel.
He told OK!: “I was approached several times to go back to Britain’s Got Talent when Simon Cowell got injured.
“That would have been quite fun, but I’d rather do it with him.
He said he didn’t want to do the show with his old friend Simon
In the end, Ashley Banjo was parachuted into the TV mogul’s old spot
In the end, Ashley Banjo was parachuted into the TV mogul’s old spotCredit: Rex Features
Piers was part of the original Britain’s Got Talent line-up in 2007
Piers was part of the original Britain’s Got Talent line-up in 2007Credit: Rex Features
“He and I had a great chemistry and it would have been quite a fun one to go back in and have a laugh with Simon, but he’d have to be involved.”
The Sun revealed earlier this month that Piers was poised to replace his enemy David Walliams on the panel.
The star is one of the show’s original judges, with Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell, appearing on the show’s first episode in 2007.
But one sticking point for his return is thought to be the presence on the panel of David Walliams – who Piers once said made his “skin crawl”.
Diversity’s Ashley kept Simon’s spot warm while he recovered from an injury
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Diversity’s Ashley kept Simon’s spot warm while he recovered from an injuryCredit: ITV
Piers had his hands full for much of the week hosting Good Morning Britain
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Piers had his hands full for much of the week hosting Good Morning BritainCredit: Rex Features
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The Little Britain star calls the music mogul “my Simon” but Piers insisted nobody has the same on-screen chemistry they did.
He insisted: “I’ve seen how other people are with him, but no one quite has the rapport we had. I’d never say never.”
On Friday, Piers joked that he would return to Britain’s Got Talent on the spot if they offered him enough cash.
He told pal Amanda Holden: “As always, if there’s enough Aston Martins in it I’ll start Monday!”
