Alesha Dixon’s debut series of ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ has been cancelled amid rising Covid-19 cases Down Under.
The former Mis-Teeq star has been a judge on the British edition of the TV talent contest since 2012, and was set to hit the Oz panel alongside fellow newcomers Neil Patrick Harris and Australian actress Kate Ritchie.
But according to Channel Seven, rising cases of the virus in Sydney have prompted bosses to pull the plug on the show – despite the international stars already completing a 14 day quarantine.
“Due to the current Covid restrictions in Sydney, we have decided to postpone production of the new season of AGT to a date to be determined,” they said.
“A studio audience is a vitally important part of this much-loved show, so we have made the responsible but tough call to not go ahead for now.”
While neither star has commented on the circumstances, the Drummer Boy singer Alesha has already returned to the UK, with Neil expected to jet back to the US shortly.
The new stars were set to replace outgoing panelists, singer Nicole Scherzinger, chef Manu Feildel and actress Lucy Durack.
According to Daily Mail, all four judges will be paid in full for the season.
Alesha had minor success with Mis-Teeq on the Australian charts; their single Scandalous peaked at No. 9 and they scored two further Top 20 hits.
As a solo artist, her 2008 release The Boy Does Nothing did one better, peaking at No. 8, although her subsequent releases failed to chart.