AMANDA Holden has shared a first look at the new Britain’s Got Talent judging panel, with KSI replacing Bruno Tonioli.
Actress Amanda, 53, posed for a selfie with Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and KSI as production kicked off on the ITV show today at the Blackpool Winter Gardens.
The YouTuber is standing in for Bruno as he films Dancing With The Stars, the American version of Strictly.
Taking to her Instagram story with the snap, she wrote in her caption: “What a line up. Sending [love] to @brunotonioliofficial.”
The Sun revealed earlier this month that KSI, real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, has been given his very own golden buzzer for his stint on the panel.
While he’s only there for three of the five first round audition days, he’ll still get the same opportunity as Simon, Amanda and Alesha to send a contestant straight into the live final.
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This could indicate that KSI will make a reappearance later in the series to watch his choice in action.
A source said: “Bosses were keen for KSI to appear much like a full-time judge would, given he’s due to stand in for a number of days.
“It means there will be one more Golden Buzzer act this year, with the remaining judges and hosts Ant and Dec also given an opportunity to press it.
“It will no doubt make the finals more exciting, to see which judge is best at picking a winner.”
We previously told how ITV bosses signed up KSI with high hopes that he will bring some of his 80million followers to the show.
Aside from his social media career, he is also a musician whose songs have had more than 2.7billion streams.
He released his most recent singles, Thick Of It and Low, yesterday.
An insider said of the signing: “KSI knows a thing or two about entertaining thanks to his large following online, most of who are young and tech-savvy, which is just what the show needs.”
When Bruno returns later in the series, Simon will fork out thousands to have him flown back and forth across the pond.
A source said: “When Bruno joined BGT last year, he breathed new life into the show. Simon loved how unpredictable he was and thought he made great TV. From the ratings, it’s clear the viewers agreed too.
“When plans were drawn up to revamp BGT for 2025, it was quickly flagged to Simon and the producers that Bruno is already committed to Dancing With The Stars.
“Simon managed to find a way to make it work. It means while a stand-in judge may be needed once or twice, Bruno remains on the show.
“Flying back and forth isn’t ideal for him but he loves both shows and is committed to them.”
Comedian Alan Carr was initially tipped to replace him if he had to leave, but is now thought to be top of the list to stand in.
BGT starts a four-month run in February, with live semi-finals on Saturday nights replacing nightly episodes across one week.
- Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV in 2025.
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