BRITAIN'S Got Talent fans tuning in to see Declan Donnelly present the show on his own for the first time were gutted when the signal dropped out.
After a spectacular entrance and a lively kick off to the programme, the talent competition stopped for viewers at home.
TV bosses on Twitter joked that the sun in London had caused the disruption.
While it may be taps aff in Scotland, apparently the weather in London caused technical difficulties. We can only apologise for the inconvenience. Let the show go on! #bgt
— STV (@WeAreSTV) May 28, 2018
The show was back up and running fairly quickly, to viewers' relief.
We cannot confirm if Simon's very low shirt broke the signal. https://t.co/rt97AJ0FNB
— STV (@WeAreSTV) May 28, 2018
Earlier tonight Declan had said the Britain's Got Talent rehearsals were looking "pretty spectacular" as he prepared to host the show solo for the first time.
He wrote on Twitter: "Rehearsals are in full swing here at @EventimApollo Hammersmith for the first @BGT semi final. It's pretty spectacular. Looking forward to seeing you later! D."
Declan Donnelly started the first live semi-final of Britain's Got Talent with a joke about him hosting without his presenting partner Ant McPartlin.
The star was without McPartlin for the first time in the talent show's history on Monday night.
Tuned into #BritainsGotTalent for the first time this series just because I wanted to see a 'sorry for disruption' banner. #BGT
— Duncan Lindsay (@DuncanLindsay) May 28, 2018
The TV duo had appeared together in the audition episodes as they were recorded before McPartlin stepped back from his presenting commitments when he was charged with drink-driving earlier this year.
He was banned from the road for 20 months and fined £86,000 after pleading guilty to driving while more than twice the legal limit.
As he opened the episode, Donnelly told the audience and viewers that nothing had changed, with the same judges and format, then quipped: "And the presenters... well, probably best not to dwell on that."
The broadcast was cut minutes into the ITV show, and a message appeared on the screen saying: "We're sorry for the disruption."
Footage from an earlier round of the ITV variety show was played as the glitch continued.
A message on the screen said: "We are sorry for the disruption to our schedule.
"We will return to normal programming shortly."
Someone’s pulled the plug on #BGT
— James Gunn (@The_Gunn_Man) May 28, 2018
Wonder who did it?#BritainsGotTalent pic.twitter.com/p2zyWVkOYP
The live show - which is taking place at Hammersmith Apollo - returned a few minutes later, and host Declan Donnelly announced that weather was to blame.
"The weather here in London has caused a few technical difficulties," he said.
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