BRITAIN’S Got Talent is coming back with a bang, and this year ITV have unveiled the most dramatic format change in the show’s 18-year history.
For the first time, the 2025 series will launch in February instead of April, with weekly episodes airing across four months.
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Britain’s Got Talent return date has been confirmedCredit: ITV
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The series is facing a huge scheduling shake-up for the first time in its historyCredit: ITV
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ITV bosses are also introducing a new star to the judging panelCredit: Splash
The major scheduling shake-up will see BGT kick off on Saturday, February 22 at 7pm.
On top of that, it has been reported that the live semi-finals which are traditionally broadcast across one intense week in May will now be shown on Saturdays.
This change makes the upcoming season the longest-running in the show’s history.
Lily Wilson, the Commissioning Editor for Entertainment at ITV, has explained the decision behind the earlier launch.
She said: “We want to hit that family audience. Starting in February means we can build excitement over a longer period while making the live semi-finals a much bigger event.”
Fans can expect all their favourite judges to return to the panel, including Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli.
However, this year they will be joined by a brand-new guest judge – singer and social media sensation KSI.
The Sun first revealed last year that KSI, 32, would be stepping in for three out of five days during the first round of auditions in Blackpool.
ITV bosses hope his massive online following will attract a younger, tech-savvy audience to the show.
A TV insider shared: “KSI is the perfect match for BGT. He’s an entertainer through and through, with a colossal fan base. BGT isn’t just a TV show—it’s a global internet phenomenon, with 25 billion video views worldwide. Having someone like KSI on board, whose music alone has been streamed 2.7 billion times, makes perfect sense.”
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Speaking about his new role, 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**e off. I’m buzzing to see all the fresh new talent, and I’ll be sure to leave a mark.”
Ant and Dec will once again be front and centre as hosts, guiding viewers through the highs and lows of the competition.
The duo will be on hand as hopefuls take to the stage in a bid to impress the judges and secure a place in the live semi-finals.
There will also be a return of the Golden Buzzer, which gives judges the opportunity to make sure the most jaw-dropping acts get fast tracked straight through to the live shows.
Last year’s winner, Sydnie Christmas, walked away with a life-changing £250,000 prize and a spot on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance.
This year the decision of who will be crowned the next BGT champion will once again be in the hands of the voting public.
