Britain’s Got Talent has gained a whole new audience after announcing Bruno Tonioli’s stand-in judge.
The former Strictly Come Dancing judge, 68, will be forced to skip some episodes of the ITV show due to ‘scheduling conflicts’ as he will be in the US filming Dancing With The Stars.
Now, though, ITV has revealed YouTuber KSI, 31, will be his temporary replacement, which has delighted viewers, with @leonthowitt declaring on Instagram: ‘Bro might have just saved BGT.’
Echoing their sentiment, @joe.h187 exclaimed: ‘Now I’m gonna watch it bcs of ksi.’
Wishing they could tune into BGT, @everythingezra_also said: ‘Really wish I lived in the uk rn.’
Olajide Olayinka Williams ‘JJ’ Olatunji, known professionally as KSI, is an English social media influencer, professional boxer, and musician.
The social media sensation is a co-founding member of YouTube group the Sidemen, the CEO of Misfits Boxing, and the co-owner of Prime Hydration, XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, restaurant chain Sides and cereal brand Best Breakfasts.
After starting his YouTube channel in 2009, he built a following posting gaming commentary videos of the FIFA video game series and later started sharing vlog and comedy-style videos.
He has also appeared on Top Gear, Celebrity Gogglebox and The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off.
Across his three YouTube channels KSI now has over 41 million subscribers, with BGT bosses keen to capitalise on his popularity and attract a younger audience to the ITV show.
‘Simon Cowell knows KSI is a huge hit with the younger generation,’ a source previously told The Sun.
‘He would be a great addition to pull in teenage fans, which is something the producers are keen to do.
‘KSI is chatting to bosses in the hope of agreeing a deal that would also work with his hectic schedule.’
Recent seasons of BGT have run from April to June however the next will screen later this year, filling a slot left by the end of Saturday Night Takeaway.
It had previously been claimed Bruno had stepped down from BGT but Simon shut down those rumours during an interview with Amanda Holden and her co-host Jamie Theakston on Heart Breakfast.
Simon explained there was a ‘scheduling issue’ before explaining a stand-in may be required.
‘I don’t know. But I love Bruno on the show. I think he’s brilliant,’ he added, as Amanda chimed in to say: ‘He brings such an amazing energy, and he knows so much….’
Simon stressed that Bruno ‘knows so much about what he’s talking about’, while Amanda mentioned how long their colleague had been in the industry.
‘He’s a brilliant, brilliant judge and the nicest person. So no, I would not replace him!’ Simon concluded.
Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV and representatives for Bruno Tonioli and KSI for comment
Britain’s Got Talent is expected to return to ITV later this year.
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