The modern day audition process

OK so this is something close to my heart. Being an older viewer (cough, 37) I have longed for the opportunity to be in front of the producers of this show. Aside from being selected to go in, I am extremely interested in the process of the auditions. I see them as a bit of a mental challenge and always have done. I applied for this year's show, my first time in doing so. I was convinced I'd done enough to get a call but I never heard back. It's fine, I've gone for jobs and they've picked others, lost girls for the same reason - I'll survive! 😂

Now to the point of my post... Does anyone know if the steps are the same as it once was? From the hundreds of thousands who do apply, it appears to be nigh on impossible these days to move forward in the process. It's so apparent that a large percentage of the people we watch on a nightly basis, didn't apply for the show, organically. Take Marcello - 2m streams on Spotify before entering the house. Likely too old now for Love Island but they have him on their books from him applying to that show, previously. Emma - An actress that's literally been on ITV. Thomas - 26 caps for England Amputee. The list goes on. As much as I would cherish the opportunity to apply again, it just seems like a complete waste of time nowadays for the 'average' person.

Has anyone here applied since it was ITV and heard back?