Simon Cowell Returns To Elstree

Simon Cowell is set to return to Elstree Studios for the live semi-finals of this year's series of Britain's Got Talent.

Cowell started his career at Elstree when he worked on the television show Return Of The Saint.

Commenting on the news, Roger Morris, Managing Director of Elstree Studios, said: "I worked with Simon when he started Pop Idol at Teddington Studios. It is great having him back working at Elstree Studios and we hope this is the beginning of a long term relationship with his production company Syco and his future productions. In fact, we hope to very soon have a new stage which will be ideal for a permanent base for such shows. It is also important for us because of the relationship with Talkback Thames including Managing Director, Richard Holloway and Line Producer, Dawn Gray."

The technical services for Britain's Got Talent are being provided by BBC Studioworks who have a long term contract with Elstree Studios. Other shows which are produced in associate with BBC Studioworks in George Lucas Stage 2 are Strictly Come Dancing, A League of Their Own, The Voice and Bigheads. Previously, the stage has been used for Dancing on Ice and feature films including Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows and Paddington.

Mathew Firsht, based at Elstree Studios, provides the audiences for many Syco shows including Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor. Mathew Firsht, CEO of Applause Store, said: "Everything at Elstree Studios is perfectly controlled with excellent security and car parking facilities."

The live semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent commence on Monday 29 May at Elstree Studios and will air on ITV at 7.30pm.

www.elstreestudios.co.uk

(JP/LM)