Amanda Holden, 49, slips into a racy BGT-inspired swimsuit as she sips a glass of champagne in her hot tub ahead of show's return

Filming has begun on the Britain's Got Talent semi-finals, which is being pre-recorded and aired next month.

And Amanda Holden celebrated her return to the judging panel by posting a sizzling snap with fans via Instagram on Saturday.

The TV presenter, 49, highlighted her svelte physique as she perched on the edge of her hot tub in a blue, white and red striped swimsuit to represent the British flag.

Wow! Amanda Holden looked sensational in a red, white and blue striped swimsuit as she enjoyed a glass of champagne in a snap on Saturday ahead of Britain's Got Talent return

Amanda's ensemble was cut high on her waist to highlight her slender legs as she relaxed with her feet in the water.

Her golden locks were styled into glamorous waves that fell over her shoulders in waves, and she used a light palette of make-up for the snap. 

Holding a glass of champagne in her hand, Amanda wrote in the caption: 'Get out the bubbles it’s the weekend! @bgt returns to @itv tomorrow at 6:30pm.'

Gorgeous: The TV judge hasn't been shy of displaying her amazing figure, and recently shared a snap of her bikini-clad physique during a 'staycation'

They're back: Amanda returns on the special Britain's Got Talent: The Finalists Revealed, which shows the judging panel make their final decisions

Amanda is set to return to small screens on the special show, Britain's Got Talent: The Finalists Revealed, which will air on Sunday night and will show the judges Amanda, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and David Walliams make their final decisions.

This will be followed by the first of five pre-recorded live semi-finals, kicking off on Saturday 5th September. 

Filmed back in February, a clip released on Friday saw the four judges dressed to the nines as they come together to make the huge decision ahead of the semi-finals.

Drama pending: In a first look at a one-off special ahead of the semi-finals, the judges reunited and have the tough job of cutting 200 acts down to just 40

Tough: 160 will be left disappointed as Simon, Alesha, David and Amanda whittled down 200 acts to just 40

They will be tasked with picking just one act from each show to go through to the grand final, with the viewing public then picking the other act once the show is broadcast.

Expressing the importance of the choices they will make, Amanda, 49, said: 'Deliberation day for me never gets any easier. We're making or breaking people's dreams.'

While Alesha predicts fireworks as she added: 'Today is a day of tough decision, it's the day I dread the most, I know for a fact that we're going to have arguments'. 

Teasing that she and her fellow judges will no doubt butt heads of the decision, she declared: 'It's going to be a long day, let the fight begin!' 

While Simon, 60, remarked at the tough competition as he noted: 'There are so many people who could win this year'. 

Following the semi-finals, the live final will air albeit with some big changes, most notably the absence of music mogul Simon, who is recovering after breaking his back in a shock bike accident.

He'll be replaced by Ashley Banjo, with he Diversity star, 31, - who won the ITV show in 2009 with his dance troupe - taking up the new role for the first semi-final. 

Choices, choices: Filmed back in February, the clip sees the four judges dressed to the nines as they come together to make the huge decision ahead of the semi-finals

Big job: They will be tasked with picking just one act from each show to go through to the grand final, with the viewing public then picking the other act once the show is broadcast

Simon told The Sun: 'Ashley will be a fantastic addition to the panel. He knows the power of the show and the responsibility of it. 

'I couldn't think of a better person to sit in my seat whilst I follow doctor's orders. I hate that stupid bike.'

Clearly excited about his judging gig Ashley added: 'As if 2020 couldn't get any crazier! Walking on that stage as a 20-year-old street dancer from East London and now I am walking out there and stepping in for the big man.

'It feels really nice, almost poetic.' 

Let's do this: Amanda and Simon talk as they attempt to pick which acts will go through to the semi-finals

Entertainment mogul Simon broke his back earlier this month after falling from his new Swind EB-01 bike at his Malibu home.

Although it had been hoped that Simon might be able to appear via video call for the already delayed shows, it has now been confirmed that he will not be seen at all.

A source told The Mirror: 'It was decided that the idea of having him judge the BGT finalists via a link was just not feasible – nor sensible.

'Everything is fixed, he just needs healing time. Flying halfway across the world is not part of the plan and he has agreed to put his health first.'

Shoes to fill: Ashley Banjo will stand in for Simon as a judge on Britain's Got Talent while he recovers from breaking his back (pictured in 2019)

Replacement: Simon said: 'Ashley will be a fantastic addition to the panel. He knows the power of the show and the responsibility of it' (pictured in April)

The shows have already been hit by delays due to coronavirus restrictions. Although the audition episodes were shown in April the live finals had to be postponed.

Filming has also been changed to ensure that crew and acts can remain socially distanced and there is going to be a virtual audience.

Now instead of live shows, the episodes will be pre-recorded and shown in what would have been The X Factor's prime-time Saturday night slot.

Britain’s Got Talent: The Finalists Revealed will air from 6:30pm to 8pm on ITV, followed by the first pre-recorded semi-final on Saturday 5th September at 8pm.   

Almost time: Britain’s Got Talent: The Finalists Revealed will air from 6:30pm to 8pm on ITV, followed by the first pre-recorded semi-final on Saturday 5th September at 8pm