Britain’s Got Talent is back!
Judges Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and KSI caused a storm with veteran hosts Ant and Dec as they kicked off the first day of the 2024 series on Tuesday.
In anticipation of the new season, the judges put on their typical dazzling display as Amanda, 53, looked incredible in an olive green off-the-shoulder dress.
Alesha also looked sensational as she donned a white t-shirt over a sheer structured black corset.
But the group photo was missing a familiar face like the last edition of the panel, KSI. – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – occupied the seat of Bruno Tonioli.
Britain’s Got Talent is back! Judges Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and KSI caused a storm with veteran hosts Ant and Dec as they kicked off the first day of the 2024 series on Tuesday (left to right: KSI, Alesha, And, Amanda, Dec and Simon )
But the group photo was missing a familiar face, as the last edition of the panel, KSI (real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji) occupied Bruno Tonioli’s seat.
Early Tuesday, Amanda revealed a first look at the 2024 judging panel after KSI temporarily replaced Bruno.
The show’s veteran judge posed for a cheeky selfie behind the scenes with her fellow judges.
BGT started its first show on Tuesday and YouTuber KSI is believed to have replaced Bruno because he is busy filming Dancing With The Stars, a US version of Strictly Come Dancing.
On her Instagram story with the snap, she wrote in her caption: ‘What a lineup. Sending (love) to @brunotonioliofficial.’
And KSI appears to have settled in straight away, as the content creator is believed to have been given his own golden buzzer for his time on the panel.
KSI will star on the talent show’s judging panel for only three of the five first-round audition days.
A source said the sun: ‘Bosses were keen for KSI to be much like a full-time judge, given that he has to hold his position for several days.
‘It means there will be one more Golden Buzzer act this year, and the remaining judges and presenters, Ant and Dec, will also have the chance to put pressure on it.
Earlier on Tuesday, Amanda revealed a first look at the 2024 judging panel after KSI temporarily replaced Bruno.
When KSI was first rumored to be joining the panel, Simon, 65, had to shut down rumors that Bruno was being permanently fired.
“No doubt seeing which judge is best at choosing the winner will make the final more exciting.”
It is believed that the content creator was hired to attract a younger audience.
A source said the sun in 2023: ‘Simon Cowell knows that KSI is a big hit with the younger generation.
“It would be a great addition to attract teenage fans, something the producers are keen to do.
“KSI is chatting with his bosses in the hope of reaching an agreement that also works with his hectic schedule.”
When KSI was first rumored to be joining the panel, Simon, 65, had to quell rumors that Bruno was being permanently fired.
Last year it was confirmed that the Italian choreographer will return next year despite scheduling conflicts, but he admitted that there will be some kind of replacement.
Appearing on Heart Radio, the music mogul explained: ‘I wouldn’t replace it. “I love Bruno on the show.”
Simon explained that there was a problem with Bruno’s schedule, so the star had been substituted for some of the auditions he couldn’t attend.
Clearing up the rumours, host Jamie Theakston asked the star: ‘I’m going to read you a headline from one of today’s newspapers, Simon… “Britain’s Got Talent set to sack judge, Bruno.”
When Simon confessed that the headline was false, Jamie insisted: ‘Okay, well, what about that isn’t true?
Simon explained: ‘Seriously. I talked to… I don’t know where all this is coming from. I spoke to the producers literally two weeks ago about a scheduling issue with Bruno.
‘Because we are doing the auditions… some of the auditions this year and he will be in the United States.
—So maybe there is a replacement for him. I don’t know. But I love Bruno on the show. I think it’s brilliant.’
Judge Amanda agreed, adding, “She brings incredible energy and knows a lot.”
‘And he knows a lot about what he’s talking about. And in fact, he is a brilliant, brilliant judge and the best person. So no, I wouldn’t replace it,” Simon added.
‘So… Bruno is coming back?’ Jamie asked as Simon confirmed once and for all: “He’s coming back.”
Jamie then asked: ‘Have you approached Alan Carr?’ to which Simon replied: “No, Amanda loves Alan.”
—How much does she have to say? Jamie asked, to which Simon quickly replied: “No” and Amanda shouted: “I have nothing to say.”
Jamie then joked: ‘Amanda will be back?’ as Simon joked: ‘Well, look, let’s celebrate his past.
Simon explained: ‘Seriously. I talked to… I don’t know where all this is coming from. I talked to the producers literally two weeks ago about there being a scheduling issue with Bruno.
‘And he knows a lot about what he’s talking about. And in fact, he is a brilliant, brilliant judge and the best person. So no, I wouldn’t replace it,” Simon (pictured with Jamie Theakston) added.
‘I want to say how much Amanda has contributed to the show over the years. I mean, seriously, and it will… it won’t be easy to replace you, but I just want to say thank you publicly.’
Amanda added: ‘Thank you, Simon. It’s been a real pleasure.’
‘We had fun! I’ve had 18 years with you taking care of the mortgage. So thank you.’
Speaking candidly, Simon added: ‘Can I be honest with you? I wouldn’t change this panel of judges, I think it’s something… it’s like your show, your number one. So why should BGT change?
KSI spoke about his music career on Capital Radio on Tuesday.
He said he told host Jimmy Hill that hurtful comments about his music make him want to “put my head through the wall” and revealed that a fan sent him feces in the post.
During the chat, Jimmy asked: ‘This comes from the fact that you are an online personality – everything you do and post, everyone has an opinion about it. Do you still consider these opinions or have you learned to block them now?
KSI said, ‘Oh, I look at everything. I look at everything. Sometimes it affects me, sometimes it doesn’t. Recently, because of the attack I’ve been receiving through my music, I think that’s affected me, just because obviously it’s personal, it’s my music.’
Speaking candidly, Simon added: ‘Can I be honest with you? I wouldn’t change this panel of judges, I think it’s something… it’s like your show, your number one. So why should BGT change?
KSI spoke about his music career on Capital Radio on Tuesday. He said he told host Jimmy Hill that hurtful comments about his music make him want to “put my head through the wall” and revealed that a fan sent him feces in the post.
“I think that’s why I’m a lot more emotional than, say, if I made a video. Then I’d just say, ‘Cool, whatever. It is what it is,’ and I’d just move on.
But because it’s music, you put a lot of time, mind, body and soul into a piece of art and then you put it out into the world.
Then people say, ‘Oh, rubbish! You suck! Turn that off! Cringe!’ “It kind of makes me want to put my head against a wall.”
Tune in to The Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, weekdays from 7pm to 10pm on Capital and Global player.