The new series of Britain's Got Talent is almost here, and here is everything you need to know. As we welcome season 18 to our screens, presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will be making their epic return to the ITV show alongside judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and brand-new member of the judging panel, YouTuber KSI. The brand-new series starts on Saturday 22nd February. The new series is set to air earlier than previous years which have usually launched in April, but instead, the 2025 series will now air weekly for four months - with the finale set to be broadcast in May.
The usual Britain's Got Talent judges will be making a comeback for 2025 as Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli will reunite to chose the most talented individual in the UK to perform in front of King Charles last this year. However this year, YouTube sensation KSI will be a guest judge for a number of weeks as he is set to fill in for Bruno, who was unable to attend a number of the auditions due to other work commitments.
Speaking about taking on the role of guest judge, KSI said: "I’m so excited to be a guest judge for BGT. When I got the call up, I couldn’t believe it. I remember watching old BGT episodes and going from being amazed to laughing my a*** off. I’m buzzing to see all the fresh new talent, and I’ll be sure to leave a mark.". The brand-new series of Britain's Got Talent will air on ITV1, STV and ITVX at 7pm every Saturday evening, with the first episode airing this Saturday, February 23.
Avid fans of the ITV show will know that in previous years, the semi-finals would air every day in the last week of the series. However, in a massive change to the format, this year it is believed every semi-final will air on a Saturday which means season 18 will be the longest series in the history of the ITV show. The first episode will air at 7pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX, the broadcaster has confirmed.
The official teaser shows exciting highlights from the upcoming series and shows the incredible acts set to grace the stage and audition. As the teaser begins Declan Donnelly can be heard saying: "Please take your seats, the show is about to start.". Acts in the teaser include a dummer who is seen with paint splashing on their drum set while the symbols are on fire, a dance act performing a huge flip, a pole dancer dressed as a seagull and a magician with his hand set on fire – along with a woman standing on stilts while flicking plates onto her head. The teaser ends with Ant McPartlin announcing: "It's showtime.".
The series return comes after the programme's audition process faced delays in October, following Liam Payne's tragic death. A week before Liam's shock death, the judges gathered in Blackpool Winter Gardens to mark the new series getting underway. However, the show later confirmed they postponed the auditions following his death. The One Direction singer died at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Britain's Got Talent viewers are in for some gory scenes when the brand-new series returns as one act is set to make skin crawl. In a bid to wow the celebrity judges, a performer executed a daring act involving a corkscrew and meat hook through their head and nose, exiting their mouth. The stunt is anticipated to draw complaints from some viewers due to its extreme nature, prompting a warning for viewers not to attempt it at home.
Simon commented on the act: "It's spooky horror where you don't want to watch it, but you do want to watch it. That's obviously why we're going to show it. We probably will get some complaints. Hopefully." He further joked: "I love it when they say 'don't try this at home' like we've all got screws and things just waiting to do that.". Other judges also lauded the performance, with Alesha describing it as 'entertaining' and 'funny'. Guest judge, singer, boxer and YouTuber, KSI labelled the act as 'fantastic', although he confessed relief at not having to witness it in person.
Despite the shocking nature of the performance, Simon maintained that it is still appropriate for children to view and will be broadcast before the 9pm watershed. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads. Get all the Strictly glitter and goss straight to your inbox with our Strictly Come Dancing newsletter.
