The luckiest man in comedy, Michael McIntyre, has quit Britain's Got Talent to go on his own tour. This comes as no surprise given reports in late August suggesting that the current panel "lacked sparkle".

This initially was blamed on the fact that David Hasslehoff is so (allegedly) medicated his power of speech has been relegated to a series of innocuous catch phrases. A source speaking with The Sun at the time said: "David was a great booking at the time. We thought he'd bring loads of laughs and warmth but it didn't work out. He was fun but had no connection with the acts (meds). The panel lacked sparkle and it was reflected in the acts that went through."

Now, it would seem, Michael's jumped before being escorted to the plank: "Livewire McIntyre, 35 (can't believe he's only 35 either), is planning a massive 100-date tour next year and wants to channel all his energies into that. He is the second judge to leave the panel following David Hasselhoff's axing last month, leaving pregnant Amanda Holden as the sole survivor (again). Doing stand-up nets McIntyre significantly more than his reported £250,000 BGT fee. A source said: 'Michael has been weighing it up for a while as he does like the show and enjoyed being on the panel. But his first love is comedy and he wanted to embark on a tour and concentrate on that.' McIntyre could have squeezed in both as his tour does not start until after BGT, in August. But he said last night: 'I absolutely loved being a judge but have been itching to get back on stage myself. I wish the show and production team every success'... there were rumours that producers also wanted to replace McIntyre, feeling he struggled to be critical of acts because he was too nice."

No pressure, Amanda.

And now, of course, this rumour has started...