BRITAIN'S Got Talent bosses feared the auditions were HAUNTED after Piers Morgan was hit by a mysterious flying rock.
The theatre temperature also dropped so low that Piers and fellow judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden had to sit on hot water bottles.
And show hosts Ant and Dec were unnerved by the events in the Newcastle theatre, where they once performed as lads.
A show insider said: "Piers felt something hit him in the head.
"He picked it up and it was a small rock.
"He asked if anyone threw something and the answer was 'no'. It seemed to come from the stage area, where no one was. Then the room suddenly became really cold and you could see your breath.
"The judges asked for hot water bottles to keep their bums warm."
BGT went to the North East after Simon bet Ant and Dec their home city would have nothing to offer.
They worked backstage at the Tyne Journal Theatre when they were youngsters and played MUNCHKINS in Wizard of Oz.
Simon - who bet the duo £100 he wouldn't find any talent - ribs the hosts, saying: "We just have to find one decent person."
Piers adds: "I'd like to think Newcastle can produce better talent than Ant and Dec."
Simon lost the bet - as viewers will see on ITV1 tonight.