Britain’s Got Talent is returning for Series 18 next year, and judge Bruno Tonioli will apparently be absent for part of the audition round. The show recently announced that social media star KSI will be filling in for him on three dates in Blackpool.
Bruno Tonioli to Miss Part of BGT 2025 Auditions
Earlier this week, BGT posted on X (formerly Twitter) that boxer, musician, and social media influencer KSI will be filling in as a guest judge during the days when Tonioli is unavailable, as the show films auditions in Blackpool, England.
“I’m so excited to be a guest judge for BGT,” KSI said in a statement. “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 arse off. I’m buzzing to see all the fresh new talent, and I’ll be sure to leave a mark.”
Tonioli also commented on the choice to have KSI fill in for him, joking, “Who better than a young, attractive, multi-talented star known the world over, filling in for another young, attractive, multi-talented star known the world over.”
Tonioli added that he’s “itching to get back to the judging panel for another year of laughter, tears and everything in between.” This will be Tonioli’s third year as a judge on BGT. He joined the panel in 2023, replacing longtime judge David Walliams.
SEE ALSO: BRUNO TONIOLI BREAKS THE ‘BGT’ GOLDEN BUZZER FOR A GROUP OF YOUNG DANCERS
Tonioli Had a Scheduling Conflict
Earlier this year, BGT judge Simon Cowell denied rumors that Tonioli would be leaving the show during an appearance on the Heart Breakfast Show. However, he did explain why Tonioli would have to be absent for part of the auditions.
“I don’t know where all this stuff comes from,” he said of the rumors, according to Digital Spy. “I spoke to the producers literally two weeks ago about it. There is a scheduling issue with Bruno because we’re doing some of the auditions this year and he’s going to be in America.”
Although Cowell didn’t specify what Tonioli was doing in America, it’s possible that the scheduling conflict has to do with Tonioli’s role as a judge on Dancing with the Stars, which is currently airing Season 33.
