Britain's Got Talent returns with KSI replacing Bruno Tonioli and a 7pm launch
britain's got talent returns for season 19 on Saturday, and the new series arrives with KSI joining Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon on the judges' panel, while Ant and Dec once again present. The switch matters this weekend because Bruno Tonioli has left the show and the opening episode carried familiar trappings — and immediate fan complaints.
Britain's Got Talent gets under way Saturday at 7pm
The series begins on Saturday, February 21, airing on ITV1 and on ITVX at 7 p. m. and running for 85 minutes. The first round of auditions follows Graham Norton’s Wheel of Fortune and the episode will be followed at 8: 25 p. m. by Lee Mack’s The 1% Club. The launch photo call at the Ham Yard Hotel featured Ant McPartlin, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell, KSI and Declan Donnelly.
Why Bruno Tonioli left and KSI moved in
Bruno Tonioli, who joined the show in 2023 when he stepped into David Walliams' shoes, has confirmed he will not take part in series 19 after appearing across three series. He said last September that he had to step down because of filming commitments on Dancing With The Stars in the United States, adding that he would miss the "chaos and joy" of the programme and praising the team he worked with. The show responded: "His time with us has been truly SEN-SA-TION-AL! Thank you, Bruno, we'll miss you!"
KSI — Olajide 'JJ' Olatunji — has been named as Bruno's permanent replacement after guest stints last year. He previously filled in when Bruno was filming Dancing With The Stars in America, and said: "I'm so grateful and happy to be a part of the Britain's Got Talent team for another season. I had such a good time last year and I can't wait to see some more top talent. I'm full of energy, ready to go and can't wait to make this the most entertaining BGT season ever! Let's do this. " Fans posted supportive messages such as "Can't wait to see you as a judge!" and "Can't wait, so excited already!"
Auditions filmed in Blackpool's Winter Gardens
The latest batch of auditions was held last year at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool; auditions have been filmed in Blackpool for the past three series. The show previously held auditions at The Lowry in Salford and at the London Palladium in London. Amanda Holden said she loves heading north for auditions, praising Blackpool's energy: "Everyone's lovely, they're up for it. They're noisy. They don't care, you know, and it feels like they're just a massive extension of us. " She called Blackpool "Britain's Got Talent's spiritual home" and said the production brings a bit of life back to the town.
Golden buzzer gripe flares in first episode
Just minutes into the first episode on February 21, viewers voiced a shared complaint after Ant and Dec reminded the audience that judges can send contestants straight through to the live semi-finals with the golden buzzer. Fans worried about overuse despite the rule that judges are supposed to use it only once per series. Sample reactions included: "We don’t need to see the golden buzzer, " "I wonder how many Golden Buzzers we'll get this year?", "9 to my knowledge, " and "Ditch the overused golden buzzer, overproduction, sob stories & the already successful 'testing their luck'. " Simon Cowell was the first to press the golden buzzer last year.
What changed last year and what the prize looks like
Last year’s series was won by magician Harry Moulding, who came out on top over dance group The Blackouts and dancer Binita Chetry. The series offers the winner the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance and a cash prize of £250, 000. The spin-off Britain’s Got More Talent, which ran from 2007 to 2019 and was presented by Stephen Mulhern, will not return this year.
Health absences and panel shifts recalled
Simon Cowell, 66, has faced a number of health challenges in recent years: he survived a near-fatal bike accident that left him questioning his ability to walk again, and last year missed some auditions after falling down stairs and sustaining a head injury. Stacey Solomon stepped in during those absences while Amanda Holden assumed the role of chief judge. Holden admitted: "I must admit I hated sitting in that seat... I felt very outcast on the end, " and joked about her team "decid[ing] to eat my snacks and sit in the dressing room. " She praised Stacey for bringing warmth and drew a link to Stacey's experience on The X Factor in 2009.
Ant and Dec return as presenting duo while the judging line-up for series 19 now reads Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI. Season 19 arrives as the show approaches its 20th anniversary.
ITV will not air Britain’s Got Talent on March 14 because of the final of the 2026 Six Nations Championship, and it remains to be seen if the programme also moves on May 16 because of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The next confirmed broadcast is the opening episode on Saturday, February 21 at 7 p. m., with the series scheduled to continue around those programming gaps.
