Britain's Got Talent will see the return of KSI this week and there's speculation that Simon Cowell is considering him being a judge next year amid calls to replace Bruno Tonioli
Simon Cowell is now considering replacing Bruno Tonioli on Britain's Got Talent, it has been reported. The talent show creator is also said to have already eyed up a new addition to the judging panel for the ITV show's future.
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno, 69, joined BGT in 2023 as the replacement for David Walliams. He's back beside Simon, 65, Alesha Dixon, 46, and Amanda Holden, 54, for his third series this year, but KSI, 31, stepped in to cover for him at auditions that he was unable to attend.
Fans previously called for content creator KSI - also known as JJ Olatunji - to replace Bruno on the panel after his guest stint earlier in the series. There's continued to be calls for KSI to be a permanent judge amid criticism of Bruno.
KSI is set to return to the panel for this weekend's live semi-final and one fan wrote on X: "At last KSI is back.. keep him." The latest reaction from viewers of the long-running show comes following criticism of Bruno earlier in the series.
Someone said: "Anyone want Bruno replaced with KSI permanently or just me? Bloke does my absolute heading." One fan wrote: "Was really hoping Simon would have fired Bruno and brought in KSI for the remaining live shows."
Amid the reaction from viewers, Closer reports that Simon is considering further changes to the judging panel in the future. And a source told the outlet that he is "growing a bit fed up" of co-star Bruno's "antics" on the show.
The source said: "With the X Factor no longer on air, BGT has become Simon's baby, and he is obsessed with the show. Bruno's currently in his third year as a judge, but there are already rumours that Simon is growing a bit fed up with his antics and recently summoned him to his house in the Cotswolds for a meeting."
They went on to claim that Simon is "keen" to get KSI - who is a member of the YouTube group the Sidemen - involved with the next series of BGT. The source said: "Simon's said to be keen to get KSI signed on for next year's series."
KSI had temporarily replaced Bruno - who is thought to have been away filming Dancing with the Stars in the US - at auditions held for the latest series of BGT in Blackpool just months ago. He's also covered for Simon on the show.
His return to the judging panel was announced last week. BGT host Dec Donnelly, 49, shared the news with viewers at the end of the latest live semi-final on Sunday night.
The presenter also confirmed that this weekend's episode will aired on Saturday, as usual for the new series. As previously reported, Dec said on the ITV show just days ago: "We'll be back on Saturday with KSI joining the judging panel."
