Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall has apparently been drafted in to replace Susan Boyle on the show’s Champions edition.
The spin-off – which sees BGT favourites compete against successful international Got Talent stars for ultimate glory – began filming this week.
Susan was the only contestant that ITV confirmed would be taking part in advance, with Ant and Dec announcing her involvement during the final of the last main series in June.
However, this week she reportedly pulled out of the competition due to her busy schedule.
Now it seems a fellow Scottish singer will take Susan’s place in a somewhat surprising move.
Reports indicate that bosses have brought in Jai McDowall, who won BGT’s fifth series in 2011, as a back-up contender.
According to The Sun, they chose him over Lucy Kay, the runner-up of series eight.
Jai is now said to be working hard to prove himself during his last-minute appearance.
“They didn’t want to be short of contestants and SuBo was looking unlikely to confirm her appearance,” a source said.
“Jai was ecstatic and will be putting his heart into the show, in the hope of making it right to the end.”
ITV has yet to comment on the story.
Jai’s sudden comeback may shock some fans, as he doesn’t exactly have the best relationship with BGT supremo Simon Cowell.
After beating Ronan Parke to clinch victory, Jai released his debut album, ‘Believe’, on the media mogul’s label Syco.
The record limped in to the charts at number 54, and it wasn’t long before Simon stuck the boot in, saying Jai wasn’t a “genuine star”.
“He wasn’t what I was looking for,” he blasted. “You want a Diversity or Susan Boyle, someone who is a genuine star.
“He is talented but the show can do better.”
Months earlier – before Jai had even signed his deal – Simon’s pal Louis Walsh had also criticised him.
“Jai hasn’t got any star quality at all,” the Irishman claimed. “He won’t have chart success. He was a boring winner.”
Nonetheless, Jai is in the BGT hall of fame – and he’ll be up against several of his fellow winners on The Champions.
Paul Potts, Ashleigh Butler, Collabro and Lost Voice Guy are among the many hopefuls supposedly taking part.
Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions will air on ITV later this year.
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