Ksi’s permanent seat on Britain’s Got Talent reshapes what viewers should expect as Bruno Tonioli bows out

For the audience, the clearest shift is tonal: ksi’s permanent promotion promises a different judging voice front and center on series 19, and that change lands immediately for viewers used to Bruno Tonioli’s presence. Ant and Dec will return as presenters while the panel now pairs Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden with the internet star in a full-time role—after he guest judged last year.

Ksi’s arrival matters most to viewers and the panel culture

Here’s the part that matters: Ksi’s contagious energy and blunt reactions are being positioned as the refresh the show needs. Public response has been enthusiastic, with fans posting quick messages of excitement. The move trades one era’s theatrical flamboyance for a judge whose profile spans YouTube, music, boxing and commerce—changes that will be felt in auditions, banter and the show’s wider tone.

Line-up change and why Bruno Tonioli is leaving

Bruno Tonioli will not appear on the upcoming season after serving as a judge since 2023. He stepped into David Walliams’ former slot and appeared across three series before confirming his exit. The reason given is a diary clash with Dancing With The Stars in the United States, where Bruno continues as a judge and will be filming a new series. Bruno said he had to step away after three series and that he will miss the show’s chaos and joy; he also expressed support for Ksi taking on a larger role. The programme issued a farewell message thanking Bruno, calling his time "SEN-SA-TION-AL" and acknowledging his filming commitments.

Ksi: the profile stepping in full time

Ksi is 32 years old and rose to prominence in the early 2010s through online gaming content and the Sidemen group channel, which amassed hundreds of millions of YouTube views. His real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, and he uses the nickname KSI—which stands for knowledge, strength and integrity—and even bears it as a chest tattoo. The content creator expanded into music, boxing and commerce: he co-established Misfits Boxing and co-owns brands including Prime Hydration and Lunchly. He also co-launched a Prime energy drink with Logan Paul in 2022; that drink has been banned in some schools over concerns about high caffeine levels and crowds of children queuing to buy it.

What Ksi’s finances and private life add to the picture

Ksi’s commercial success has translated into significant wealth: his estimated fortune is approximately £75 million, a figure that places him among the highest-earning internet personalities and has earned him recognition on wealth and influence lists. Off camera, he has been discreetly dating a partner for eight years who works outside the entertainment industry in a regular job; he keeps her away from the spotlight and has described her as grounding. The pair split briefly at one point and later reconciled; he has said he sought therapy to work on himself during that period.

Audience reaction, cultural notes and tone shifts

Critical reaction framing Ksi as a rejuvenating force has already begun. One observer called him the best thing to happen to the show since Susan Boyle and argued the programme needed a jolt of authenticity. Early episodes from last season included moments like a parkour-performing dog that drew rapturous studio applause and judges’ delight; Ksi’s presence has been noted for cutting through such spectacle with franker reactions. The show’s long run—approaching its twentieth year and still drawing millions of viewers—means producers are testing ways to keep the format feeling contemporary. The opening episode’s patriotic drone sequence, which highlighted King Charles, Big Ben and the Union Jack, was cited as an example of the show’s large-scale staging that Ksi’s bluntness contrasts with.

Mini timeline

• Bruno Tonioli joined the judging panel in 2023, replacing David Walliams and appearing across three series.
• Last year Ksi guested as a judge, drawing strong viewer response.
• Bruno announced last September he would step down because of filming commitments on Dancing With The Stars in the US.
• Ksi is taking a permanent seat and will return as a full-time judge on Saturday, February 21, as the programme embarks on its 19th season.

The real test will be whether Ksi’s energy sustains across a full series and how it reshapes both audition dynamics and audience expectations.

What’s easy to miss is that this change blends entertainment casting with cross-platform business calculation: the judge now in the chair brings an audience that follows him beyond traditional TV.

Interactive note for viewers: if you’re wondering why this keeps coming up, it’s because producers see Ksi as a way to bridge traditional TV reach with younger, digitally native audiences while Bruno continues his commitments in the US.