COMEDIAN Alan Carr is to replace David Walliams as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.
The stand-up, 46, will join the panel alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
Chatty Man star Alan has been in discussions with producers for weeks, alongside several other candidates.
But he quickly emerged as the runaway favourite among bosses including Simon and is now being offered a contract to join the ITV juggernaut.
A source said: “Alan is joining the line-up, it just has to be him - he’s brilliant.
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"The deal is being finalised, but it's details now - and he’s totally up for it too. It’s the perfect hiring all round.”
Alan rose to fame on the stand-up circuit, landing gigs on 8 Out Of 10 Cats and The Friday Night Project with Justin Lee Collins.
He has since become one of TV's most bankable stars, with his own Chatty Man show for Channel 4 and three British Comedy Award wins.
The Sun revealed in November that David would step down from Britain’s Got Talent after a decade judging on the ITV show.
With auditions for the next series of BGT starting in two weeks, ITV bosses have been searching for a replacement.
But a source close to David said at the time: “David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time.
"Being on the show has been a huge source of entertainment and joy for him and he is arguably the most popular member of the panel.”
The blockbuster series will return this year but with a twist, The Sun revealed last month.
Bosses have overhauled the application process, now inviting viewers to secretly put forward a friend or family member.
A TV source said: “‘Nominate an act’ has essentially unearthed a whole new pool of talent.
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“Viewers had become critical of the amount of ‘recycled’ acts that had appeared on other Got Talents or were already on the pro circuit, but the new process has already sourced some good undiscovered talent."
There will also be a new northern base for auditions, with the insider adding: "Being able to audition in Manchester also effectively unlocks the North.
"Some acts just couldn’t afford the travel for a whole troop or choir, for example. It’s all gearing up for a really great new series, now all the pandemic restrictions have lifted too.”
