ITV bosses warn Cowell to 'go easy' on young contestants

Simon Cowell has been warned to “go easy” on young contestants in this year’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.

The famously forthright reality TV judge has been told by ITV bosses to save his strong words, as more vulnerable people– including children - are already under huge amounts of pressure when they audition in front of an audience.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Contestants' welfare is our number one priority, especially when it comes to kids.

"Most of the adults can take the stress of being told they're no good - but the kids can't.

"We've told the judges to go easy on the kids and make sure any criticism is balanced with positive comments.”

The move comes after hundreds of viewers complained last year when Simon criticised young singer Hollie Steel, who subsequently broke down in tears.

Hollie, now 11, branded Simon a “bully” for his actions.

She said: “He was very mean to me.

"He might have thought it was funny but it's lonely up on that stage on your own."

Meanwhile, show hosts Ant and Dec have revealed they won a bet with Simon after the music mogul wagered that the show wouldn’t unearth any talent at all in their hometown of Newcastle.

Dec said: "We had a competition both on and off camera with Simon about Newcastle. He said the city would have no talent. It started badly, but in the end we won.

"There were some fantastic acts there so we had the moral victory."