I always thought the audience track was real (being live), but at the start of today's programme, just after Brucie made his Wogan quip, the screaming and wooping in the audience suddenly stopped (as in dead!).

Was gives, BBC?

I noticed that.

Oooh, glad you noticed. I thought I was imagining things. Why on earth would they need to can the laughter? Is it really that downbeat at the studio?

I noticed that too.

The cheering at the start sounds like it's thousands of people, but there's only about 300 in the studio!

It has happened before. It was when Alesha was a contestant. I remember she was walking over to the judges then the clapping just stopped.

I'm guessing it is probably common place on TV shows.

I didn't actually notice it but it could easily have been the sound desk mixing down the audience microphones a little too quickly and aggressively.

This week they were in Studio 4 rather than their normal Studio (3??), and its much smaller. (All because of Children in Need)

That being the case - and a much smaller audience, perhaps they DID augment things with an Audience track.

Just my 2p

JJ