Following Bruno Tonioli’s decision to leave Britain’s Got Talent, musician, YouTuber, and boxer KSI has been announced as a full-time judge.
Joining returning judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Alesha Dixon for the 19th series, anticipation is high for the show’s return.
In an era where internet stars have crossed into mainstream entertainment, KSI will be following the likes of Angry Ginge on I’m A Celebrity and George Clarke on Strictly Come Dancing.
Earlier this week, Amanda took a swipe at two ‘boring’ Strictly Come Dancing presenter frontrunners.
This came after a Britain’s Got Talent judging duo were given a ‘big talking to’ by ITV bosses.
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But, to find out more about BGT’s newest YouTuber-turned-boxer, Metro has taken a deeper look into his background.
Who is KSI – and what’s his real name?
KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunj, is often called ‘JJ’ by his friends and fans.
The 32-year-old first rose to fame on YouTube in the early 2010s.
Developing from producing content about video games and FIFA to making comedy sketches, his digital audience built to become one of the biggest in the UK.
Launching several mainstream business, such as co-founding Sideman and the energy drink Prime, he has cemented his position as a mainstream entertainer.
When did he move into music?
KSI began releasing music in 2015 as a side project to his YouTube career.
Five years later he then released his debut studio album, Dissimulation, which charted at number two.
Following this up with All Over the Place, the single then reached number one in the UK.
In the years since, KSI has gone on to collaborate with major artists as well as performing at major music venues.
Has he been a judge on BGT before?
Before being announced as a permanent judge, KSI had never been a full-time pannelist.
However, the 32-year-old has made previous appearances on the show.
This came in the form of guest appearances and special segments on the ITV talent competition.
Now in a permanent role, KSI will be hoping to establish himself as a long-time judge.
What else can we expect from BGT 2026?
The newest series of Britain’s Got Talent will certainly have a different feel with the inclusion of KSI, who boasts a huge online following.
It will also likely lean into social media engagement with the fans as episodes are released.
But returning, as always, will be Ant and Dec as presenters, who recently said they had to ‘promise’ Simon that they would never leave.
Numerous different acts will also take to the stage to try and win a grand prize £250,000 and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance.
Britain’s Got Talent begins tonight at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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