Ksi confirmed as permanent judge as ksi replaces Bruno Tonioli on Britain's Got Talent

Riley Calderon

Published: February 21, 2026 4:55 PM ET

ksi has been announced as a permanent member of the Britain's Got Talent judging panel as the show returns for its 19th season on Saturday, February 21, 2026 (ET). The move follows the departure of Bruno Tonioli, who stepped away from the programme because of competing filming commitments in the United States.

Ksi confirmed as permanent judge

The internet personality who served as a guest judge during the previous series will take a full-time seat alongside the existing panel. Organisers cited the popularity of his guest appearance and his energetic presence as reasons for the permanent appointment. Ksi commented that he is grateful and excited to return, saying he is "full of energy" and ready to make the season entertaining.

ksi: real name and net worth

ksi, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, has moved from online content into mainstream roles spanning music, boxing and commercial ventures. He helped co-establish a boxing promotion and co-owns multiple consumer brands. Published wealth estimates place his fortune at about £75 million (approximately $100 million), and he has been listed on several influential creator rankings.

Personal details in recent coverage note that he is in a long-term relationship, with his partner preferring to stay out of the public eye and working a regular job. The pair have weathered ups and downs, and ksi has spoken about seeking therapy during a brief split before they reconciled.

Bruno Tonioli's exit explained

Bruno Tonioli, who joined the show in 2023 and appeared across three series, opted not to return because of diary clashes with his judging commitments on an American talent programme. He said stepping away was necessary to film that series in the United States and that he would miss the chaos and joy of the show and the people he worked with.

Bringing in ksi full time closes the immediate gap left by Tonioli and represents a clear shift toward recruiting high-profile creators with cross-platform followings. Some recent commentary has hailed ksi as a revitalising presence, even calling him the best thing to happen to the programme since Susan Boyle, and highlighting his willingness to cut through overly sentimental or staged moments.

What this means going forward

With the 19th season set to begin on Saturday, February 21, 2026 (ET), the panel change is one of the clearest programming decisions tied to audience engagement in the new era of the show. If ksi's appeal among viewers remains strong, the production can reasonably expect continued interest from younger and digitally native audiences. Conversely, the departure of a long-serving judge leaves room for debate about the show's tonal direction.

Key takeaways:

Bruno Tonioli left due to competing U. S. filming commitments.
ksi moves from guest judge to permanent panel member for the new season.
ksi's profile spans online content, music, boxing and branded businesses, with an estimated net worth near £75 million (approx. $100 million).