Britain’s Got Talent’s Ant and Dec took a swipe at show judge Bruno Tonioli after he was switched out on the panel for boxer KSI.
The social media star and boxer, who is a temporary replacement for Bruno, took to the stage at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool as he bounced into the premises like he was entering the ring.
For his iconic entrance, he was announced with excitement after fellow judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
And his animatic display left show hosts Ant and Dec stunned as Ant quipped: ‘Everyone’s thinking, ‘Bruno who?’. I’m joking!’
BGT kicked off its first show on Tuesday and Youtuber KSI is believed to have stepped in for Bruno because he is occupied filming Dancing With The Stars – an American version of Strictly Come Dancing.
Britain’s Got Talent’s Ant and Dec took a swipe at show judge Bruno Tonioli after he was switched out on the panel for boxer KSI
The social media star and boxer, who is a temporary replacement for Bruno (pictured), took to the stage at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool as he bounced into the premises like he was entering the ring
And he appeared to settle in fine on his first episode as he posed for a selfie with the audience.
Toying with hosting legend Simon, he used a filter to put a pair of orange shades over his eyes.
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Sharing the snap online, he penned: ‘The audience in Blackpool are absolutely amazing and I’m really glad I’m part of the band.’
The YouTuber even reportedly had the opportunity to hit his golden buzzer on the first day – for a who cooks chickens inside a Morrisons supermarket.
Judges Amanda Holden, Simon, Alesha Dixon and KSI posed up a storm with veteran show hosts Ant and Dec as they kicked off the first day of the 2024 series on Tuesday.
Awaiting the new season, the judges put on their typical glitzy display as Amanda, 53, looked incredible in an off-the-shoulder olive green dress.
Alesha also looked sensational as she layered a white T-shirt over a sheer structure black corset.
But for the group shot, one familiar face was missing as the panel’s latest edition, KSI – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – was occupying Bruno’s seat.
For his KSI’s entrance, he was announced with excitement after fellow judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon
And his animatic display left show hosts Ant and Dec stunned as Ant quipped: ‘Everyone’s thinking, ‘Bruno who?’. I’m joking!’
Toying with hosting legend Simon, he used a filter to put a pair of orange shades over his eyes
The YouTuber even reportedly had the opportunity to hit his golden buzzer on the first day – for a who cooks chickens inside a Morrisons supermarket
Judges Amanda Holden , Simo n, Alesha Dixon and KSI posed up a storm with veteran show hosts Ant and Dec as they kicked off the first day of the 2024 series on Tuesda (L to R: KSI, Alesha, And, Amanda, Dec and Simon)
But for the group shot, one familiar face was missing as the panel’s latest edition, KSI – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – was occupying Bruno Tonioli’s seat
Earlier on Tuesday, Amanda revealed a first-look sneak peek at 2024 judging panel after KSI temporarily replaced Bruno.
The veteran show judge posed for a cheeky behind-the-scenes selfie with her fellow judges.
Taking to her Instagram story with the snap, she wrote in her caption: ‘What a line up. Sending [love] to @brunotonioliofficial.’
And KSI seems to have settled in straight away as it is believed that the content creator has been given his own golden buzzer for his stint on the panel.
KSI will star on the talent show judge panel just three of the five first round audition days.
A source told the Sun: ‘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.
Earlier on Tuesday, Amanda revealed a first-look sneak peek at 2024 judging panel after KSI temporarily replaced Bruno
When KSI was first rumorued to join the panel, Simon, 65, had to shut down whispers that Bruno was being axed permanently
‘It will no doubt make the finals more exciting, to see which judge is best at picking a winner.’
It is believed that the content creator was brought in to attract younger audiences.
A source told The Sun in 2023: ‘Simon Cowell knows KSI is a huge hit with the younger generation.
‘He would be a great addition to pull in teenage fans, which is something the producers are keen to do.
‘KSI is chatting to bosses in the hope of agreeing a deal that would also work with his hectic schedule.’
When KSI was first rumorued to join the panel, Simon, 65, had to shut down whispers that Bruno was being axed permanently.
Last year confirmed that the Italian choreographer will be returning next year despite scheduling clashes but admitted there will be some sort of stand-in.
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Appearing on Heart Radio, the music mogul explained: ‘I would not replace him. I love Bruno on the show.’
Simon explained that there was a problem with Bruno’s schedule, therefore the star had be replaced for some of the auditions that he is unable to attend.
Clearing up the rumours Host Jamie Theakston asked the star: ‘I’m gonna read you a headline from one of the papers today Simon… ‘Britain’s Got Talent set to drop judge, Bruno”
As Simon confessed the headline was false, Jamie pressed: ‘Okay, well, what of that isn’t truth?
Simon explained: ‘Seriously. I spoke to… I don’t know where all this stuff comes from. I spoke to the producers literally two weeks ago about there is a scheduling issue with Bruno.
‘Because we’re doing the auditions… some of the auditions this year and he’s going to be in America.
‘So maybe there’ll be a stand in for him. I don’t know. But I love Bruno on the show. I think he’s brilliant.’
Fellow judge Amanda agreed as she added: ‘He brings such an amazing energy and he knows so much.’
‘And he knows so much about what he’s talking about. And actually, he’s a brilliant, brilliant judge and the nicest person. So no, I would not replace him,’ Simon added.
‘So… Bruno’s coming back?’ asked Jamie as Simon confirmed once and for all: ‘He’s coming back.’
Jamie then asked: ‘Have you approached Alan Carr?’ as Simon replied: ‘No, Amanda wants Alan.’
‘How much of a say does she have?’ asked Jamie, to which Simon quickly replied: ‘No’ and Amanda cried: ‘I have no say’.
Jamie then joked: ‘Is Amanda coming back?’ as Simon teased: ‘Well, look, let’s celebrate her past.
Simon explained: ‘Seriously. I spoke to… I don’t know where all this stuff comes from. I spoke to the producers literally two weeks ago about there is a scheduling issue with Bruno’
‘And he knows so much about what he’s talking about. And actually, he’s a brilliant, brilliant judge and the nicest person. So no, I would not replace him,’ Simon added (pictured with Jamie Theakston)
‘I want to say how much Amanda has brought to the show over the years. I mean, seriously and it will be… it won’t be easy to replace you but I just want to say publicly thank you.’
Amanda added: ‘Thank you, Simon. It’s been an absolute pleasure.’
‘We’ve had fun! I’ve had 18 years of you looking after the mortgage. So thank you.’
Speaking candidly Simon added: ‘Can I be honest with you? I wouldn’t change this judging panel, I think it is something… it’s like your show, your number one. So why would I change BGT.’
KSI opened up about his music career on Capital Radio on Tuesday.
He said told show host Jimmy Hill that hurtful comments about his music makes him want to ‘put his head through a wall’ as he revealed that one fan sent him faeces in the post.
During the chat Jimmy asked: ‘It comes with the territory of you being an online personality – everything you do and put out there, like, everyone has got an opinion on it. Do you still look at these opinions or have you learnt to block it out now?’
KSI said: ‘Oh, I look at everything. I look at everything. Sometimes it gets to me, sometimes it doesn’t. Recently, because of I guess the onslaught I’ve been getting through my music, I think that has kind of got to me, just because obviously it’s personal, its my music.’
Speaking candidly Simon added: ‘Can I be honest with you? I wouldn’t change this judging panel, I think it is something… it’s like your show, your number one. So why would I change BGT’
KSI opened up about his music career on Capital Radio on Tuesday. He said told show host Jimmy Hill that hurtful comments about his music makes him want to ‘put his head through a wall’ as he revealed that one fan sent him faeces in the post
‘I think that is why I am a lot more emotional as opposed to, let’s say, if I made a video. Then I’d just be like, ‘Cool, whatever. It is what it is,’ and I’d just move on.
But because it’s music, you spend a lot of time, mind, body and soul into a piece of art and then you put that into the world.
Then you’ve just got people being like, ‘Oh, trash! You suck! Turn that off! Cringe!’ It kind of makes me want to put my head through a wall.’
Tune into The Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, weekdays from 7pm-10pm on Capital and Global Player.