Ksi promoted to permanent judge as Bruno Tonioli bows out of Britain’s Got Talent

Bruno Tonioli has confirmed he will not take part in the talent show's 2026 series, and online star ksi, 32, is stepping in as a permanent judge. The show returns for its 19th season with presenting duo Ant and Dec leading the programme and a judging line-up that now includes Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Ksi.

Ksi joins the panel full time

Ksi moves from guest judge to a full-time role after appearing on the panel last year. Born Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, the 32-year-old rose to prominence in the early 2010s through online gaming content and the Sidemen group channel, which accumulated hundreds of millions of views. He has diversified into music, boxing and commerce, co-establishing Misfits Boxing and co-owning brands that include Prime Hydration and Lunchly. He also co-launched a well-known energy drink in 2022 alongside another influencer; that product has been banned in some schools amid concerns about caffeine and crowding at retail launches.

His fortune is estimated at approximately £75 million ($100m), placing him among the highest-earning internet personalities, and he has appeared on prominent wealth and influence lists. He uses the stage name Ksi — a moniker said to represent knowledge, strength and integrity — and even bears the letters as a tattoo across his chest.

Why Bruno Tonioli is stepping away

Bruno Tonioli, who joined the programme in 2023 after stepping into David Walliams' position, appeared across three series before confirming his exit. He has said he can no longer commit because of diary clashes with Dancing With The Stars in the United States, where he also serves as a judge, and that he looks forward to filming a new series of that American show. He described leaving after three series as difficult, saying he will miss the chaos and joy of the talent programme.

The show responded with thanks for his contribution and praise for his time on the panel, calling his run sensational and noting they will miss him.

Series 19: presenters, judges and a February start

The programme returns for its 19th season in 2026 with Ant and Dec continuing as presenters. The judging panel for the new run will feature Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Ksi. Ksi will begin his permanent role on Saturday, February 21, as the series gets underway. He previously stepped in as a guest judge last year to replace Bruno Tonioli for an episode.

Reaction from critics and viewers

Critical reaction has been mixed but notable: some commentators have called Ksi the best thing to happen to the show since a landmark contestant who once captured the nation's imagination. Critics pointed to a recent episode where a parkour-performing dog won rapturous applause from the studio audience and three of the four judges, while Ksi remained unimpressed and acted as a reality check onstage. The show’s opening spectacle on that episode included a drone sequence celebrating the "best of Britain, " listing King Charles, Big Ben and the Union Jack.

Fans have been enthusiastic on social media, posting messages such as "Can't wait to see you as a judge!" and "Can't wait, so excited already!" Ksi himself said he is grateful and full of energy, eager to see more top talent and to make the season as entertaining as possible.

Personal profile kept private

The new permanent judge has kept his private life guarded. He has been discreetly dating a partner for eight years and has said she works outside the entertainment industry in a regular job. He intentionally shields their relationship from public attention and avoids sharing photographs online; he has described the partner as grounding and having a dynamic that allows him to switch off from his industry life. He also revealed the pair split briefly before reconciling, a period that prompted him to seek therapy to work on himself.

Broadly, the shift marks a generational change on the panel: a long-serving judge steps away to continue commitments stateside, while a multi-hyphenate digital star takes a permanent seat as the programme pushes into its 19th season. Viewers and critics will be watching closely when the series begins on Saturday, February 21, to see whether Ksi’s energy reshapes the tone of the judging panel.