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ITV has announced KSI to stand in as a judge for Bruno Tonioli during some of the auditions of Britain's Got Talent.

The influencer, who has a whopping 44million followers as of February 2025, will be briefly taking over, as Bruno heads to the US to be on the panel of Dancing with the Stars. Here's what we know about the changeover.

KSI is joining this year's Britain's Got Talent as a judge

Ian West / PA Wire

How long is KSI on BGT?

Musician and boxer, KSI, will be standing in for Bruno Tonioli as a judge for Britain's Got Talent.

The 31-year-old is stepping in for three of the five days during BGT's first round of auditions in Blackpool. 

Show bosses are counting on him to bring in his huge audience and give the programme a fresh boost.

A TV insider said: "Their new judge doesn't just know a thing or two about entertaining, he has a colossal following who are largely young and tech savvy, which is just the sort of viewer that the show now thrives on.

"BGT isn't just a TV show it's a global internet phenomenon as well, with clips of the various acts being watched a staggering 24billion times around the world. 

"Which is why KSI is the perfect match, as his music alone has been streamed 2.7billion times."

KSI has two singles, Thick Of It and Low, which dropped in October 2024. 

But lately, the social media personality has been making moves in the boxing world, having faced off against Love Island's Tommy Fury and Logan Paul in the past.

Speaking about appearing on the show, KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, said: "I'm so excited to be a guest judge for BGT.

"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."

Responding to the temporary change, Bruno also appeared to be thrilled.

He said: "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."

"In all seriousness, I can think of no one better to keep my seat warm than the wonderful KSI, even though I spend most of the show out of it anyway.

"I'll be itching to get back to the judging panel for another year of laughter, tears and everything in between."

Will KSI come back to BGT?

KSI has since shared his thoughts on joining the show on a longer-term basis, saying: "Once I figured out what makes sense and my place, I kind of just ran with it and I got more and more comfortable and came into my own."

He was said to be popular with the crowd at the auditions.

Speaking of the experience, he added: "It kind of reminded me when I perform or even when I'm boxing, I'd hear people screaming, shouting my name. 

I think he's going to bring in a whole generation of people that have perhaps not thought about watching our show before…

Amanda Holden

"It was craziness like that, but it was cool. 

"Even while I'm sitting there to hear people shout my name and have people asking for a photo and just enjoying the whole experience."

Hinting that he might be interested in a return booking, he said: "I really enjoyed the experience, and I don't know if they want me back. 

"I don't know if I made a good impression. But if I did, and they do want me back, you know, I'm fully down!"

BGT presenter, Dec, said of KSI's star turn: "It's always interesting when somebody new joins the panel for the first time because you see it through their eyes again and that kind of freshness. 

The judge's appeared to be impressed with KSI's skills on and off the panel

Thames / ITV

"So he brought that to it. He brought energy, enthusiasm and a really interesting viewpoint. 

"He looked at whether acts would work online and go viral, so that was really interesting. 

"He judged in a way that no judge has ever looked at the acts before."

Fellow judge, Amanda Holden, reflected on his appearance: "The kids went nuts for him. 

"And I think he's going to bring in a whole generation of people that have perhaps not thought about watching our show before just because they want to see what he brings. 

"And he was also super quick to get on the stage, we couldn't keep him off it! I just know he's going to steal the limelight because he's so good!"

Britain's Got Talent starts on Saturday, February 22, 2025 on ITV.