Susan Boyle-fever raises the bar for Australia's Got Talent

Will Australia's Got Talent find the next Susan Boyle?

As thousands try their luck at being the next Susan Boyle, Grant Denyer says singers get a tougher grilling than other acts.

Singers be warned. You'll have to be good to make it on Australia's Got Talent.

With no Australian Idol this year, Grant Denyer says the Seven talent search has been inundated with vocal acts. For a show that enjoys a cross-section of entertainers, it sets the bar a whole lot higher for singers. And then there is the "SuBo-effect".

"Whenever there is a trend in a particular genre it tends to tread the path for others to follow," he says. "And that doesn't concern us at all. That means the judges are very tough on singers, because we like to keep it open to everybody else. Just because you're good doesn't mean you're going to get through. You have to be exceptional. But we believe we've definitely got that in spades.

"I was personally worried as to whether we had exhausted the talent pool but due to what I call 'Boyle fever' it's inspired a lot of people to come out of the woodwork that never had the confidence to before."

The show's fourth season was hurried into production following the announcement by Dannii Minogue that she was expecting a baby. But it didn't stop over 4000 Aussies turning up to auditions.

"We kind of rushed the show into production to be honest. When we normally have three months lead time we barely had a month to get the word out there. So it's an awesome response."

But every act will have to front to Minogue, Brian McFadden and bad boy Kyle Sandilands.

"I think you can expect a lot of fireworks from Kyle. He's determined not to slow down. He's determined not to change from his Idol days, so that means hang onto your bloody hat.

But is there a way to play a "nice" mean judge?

"Red [Symons] did a lot of schtick which was hilarious. I think our show in the past because of its broad-ranging and 'age-less' talent it had to be a warm arm rather than a big stick. Idol was determined to find a star at all costs, whereas we were just celebrating unique talent of all shapes and sizes."

Denyer says as host he even finds himself massaging a few bruised egos from contestants who have gone up against the outspoken Sandilands. But with time the new judges are also understanding the show isn't trying to be Australian Idol.

"I spent a lot of time cuddling and propping people back up after they've been smashed down. I think they've understood what this show is all about and they're finding the real heart of it.

"We're not promising you you're going to become a massive recording artist. We're not promising that you're going to fill stadiums. Therefore why slap them so hardly? We'll guide them but we won't abuse them."

Australia's Got Talent airs 7:30pm Tuesdays on Seven.