Britain’s Got Talent is set to return in 2026 with a major change. KSI has officially taken a full time spot in the panel, taking Bruno Tonioli’s place. Now, fans are wondering if KSI will compare to a panelist of the past, David Walliams.
Does KSI Compare to David Walliams?
Fans of Britain’s Got Talentremember David Walliams long-term place on the panel. Walliams played a crucial role on the show. He was more or less the comedic relief that the show needed to make it not as serious. He often made the BGT stage a less-anxiety-inducing space for contestants of all ages.
After Walliams was removed from the panel for making derogatory and sexually explicit remarks about contestants during a private conversation in November 2022. The conversation itself took place in 2020 and was leaked by a BGT crew member. Walliams was then replaced with Dancing With The Stars panelist Bruno Tonioli.
Tonioli received mixed reviews from fans. Some thought Tonioli brought character to the panel, while others thought that he was a bit much for the show. Fans who are familiar with Dancing With The Stars are aware of how Tonioli is loud and typically has an issue staying in his chair during commentary. He remained on the panel for two years. Eventually, due to his time commitment with Dancing With The Stars, he split his time on the panel with YouTuber KSI.
Now, KSI has officially taken over for Tonioli, who parted with the show due to filming conflicts with Dancing With The Stars. So, it’s officially KSI’s first full year on the panel and many are wondering how he’ll do.
What do Fans Think of KSI?
It’s no secret that KSI has been in a boatload of controversy since his rise to fame on YouTube. His biggest controversies to date include hanging out and partnering with Logan Paul for both Prime and Lunchly.
He also was called out in the past for saying racial slurs online, as well as posting sexist, misogynistic and discriminatory content. In March 2021, he was even accused of using transgender slurs in a video. Lastly, he was accused of sexual harassment at a 2012 Eurogamer event.
As for BGT fans, in a Reddit thread discussing whether KSI should replace Tonioli, fans were against it, for the most part.
“I’m not a fan of Bruno either, don’t get me wrong, but I just cannot stand Ksi. I’m actually pretty shocked they let him perform thick of it given its context. I’d happily see both of them go lol,” a fan wrote on the thread.
Some even pointed out that KSI often reacts very similarly to Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, and Amanda Holden.
“I love Bruno idk why he is hated. He is over the top, yes but I enjoy it. Idk anything about KSI i only saw him as a judge, but I didn’t really like him,” another fan wrote. “He had the same reaction the whole season for every single act on the show (mouth open saying wow). For me, he brings the same energy/reactions as the other 3 judges, which I personally find boring.”
What do you think of KSI replacing Bruno Tonioli on Britain’s Got Talent? Do you think he’ll last on the panel as long as David Walliams did? Let us know on X!
Words by:
Corey Cesare Corey Cesare is Talent Recap's Managing Editor and featured YouTube Host. She has a love of all things pop culture and an unhealthy obsession with celebrities. Corey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Cinema/Screen Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego in 2021. She spends her spare time shooting astro, nature, and portrait photography, and coming up with movie ideas that she hopes to make into a film someday.
