<P> For the final of each series, the format of the contest operates in exactly the same manner as the semi-finals, including being broadcast live on television, though this time the winner is determined purely by a phone vote, with the finalists attempting to secure more votes than the others by performing a new routine at their best . Upon the result being given, the top two acts are brought onto the stage, with the hosts announcing which of them received the most votes . The winner of each year's contest receives a cash prize, and earns the opportunity to perform in the Royal Variety Performance later that year . </P> <P> For the show's scheduling, the live episodes are usually arranged to take place over the course of a week, with the semi-finals aired mainly on weekdays, and the final aired on the weekend; in some series, the schedule featured a break between the live episodes of the semi-finals, due to coverage of live events . All live episodes are divided into two parts when they are aired - the first half focuses on performances, each beginning with a short clip of the semi-finalist / finalist's background, and ending with comments by the judges; the second half occurs after voting is closed, usually after another programme has aired between the two parts, and focuses on the results of the phone vote, with a guest performance taking place prior to the announcement of the results . This format was initially used for the live finals only, up until the start of the semi-finals in the fourth series . </P> <P> For the first four series after the show began in June 2007, the judging panel consisted of music executive and television producer Simon Cowell, television and West End star Amanda Holden, and newspaper editor and journalist Piers Morgan . In 2009, the producers made plans to alter the show's format to allow for a fourth judge when the third series was set to begin, with plans for Kelly Brook to be the new judge on the panel . Less than a week after the series began, the producers dropped this change on the belief that this alteration to the show's format would complicate it, resulting in Brooks being credited as a guest judge for that series . In 2010, Cowell fell ill during filming of the fourth series and was unable to attend the Birmingham auditions, leading to Louis Walsh stepping in as a guest judge in his place, until he had recovered . </P> <P> In 2011, the panel saw its first major change, when Morgan revealed he was leaving the show to travel to America and begin filming of his new show . As Cowell had announced he wouldn't be present for the fifth series' auditions, due to his busy schedule with launching The X Factor USA, the show's producers decided to amend the panel, and recruited comedian Michael McIntyre, and actor, singer and former America's Got Talent judge David Hasselhoff, to join Holden during the auditions, with Walsh returning as a guest judge for the London auditions due to Hasselhoff's commitments with a pantomime at that time . When the series entered its live episodes, Cowell returned to oversee the acts as a fourth judge . Later that year, in October 2011, both Hasselhoff and McIntrye declined to return for the sixth series, while Cowell announced he was returning full - time to the show . </P>

Who were the first judges on britain's got talent