The ITV show is back!
From Diversity to Susan Boyle, ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent has provided a platform for some of the world’s best entertainment acts during its 15-year run. And it’s time to do it all over again when the show returns to our screens this weekend.
The contestants will take to the stage in either London or Manchester in the hope of making their mark (for all of the right reasons) on the judges and the audience. Over the years, we’ve seen an array of talent, from singers and dancers to comedians, pet performers, knife-throwers and more magicians than you could shake a stick at. And there have been a fair few unusual and hair-raising moments along the way, too. The less said about those, the better.
But while the show continues to follow its tried-and-tested format, there has been a shake-up when it comes to the judges, with former Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli sitting in David Walliams’s chair following the Little Britain actor’s exit.
Speaking to Radio Times Magazine, Tonioli revealed what it was like joining the series: “I had a ball, partly because I had never seen it before. It’s true! Simon has teased me to death about it. I didn’t even watch Strictly – I don’t watch shows that have a judging panel because I don’t want to be influenced by another judge. I just want to do my own thing. But I had the best time.
“It’s a proper variety show and the range of talent is incredible. Some of the contestants are absolutely demented, I have to say.”
Tonioli was also asked if he puts on an act himself when he’s sat on the judging panel: “Obviously when you’re on screen, you can’t sit there looking bored. You have to give the viewers a show. You have to entertain them, so I crank up my delivery and become a larger-than-life persona. I draw on my years of experience working with the likes of Elton John and Steve Coogan. I’ve done my homework.”
Read on for everything you need to know about Britain’s Got Talent 2023.
Britain’s Got Talent 2023 release date
BGT is back with a double bill this weekend, with the show kicking off on Saturday 15th April at 8pm on ITV1.
The 2023 season will continue on Sunday 16th, but at the slightly earlier time of 7:45pm for an hour and a quarter.
Britain’s Got Talent 2023 judges
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Long-time judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon will be back for this year’s panel, but they’ll be joined by a brand new face.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli is joining the judges for season 16 after David Walliams’s departure from the show.
The comedian, who had been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent since 2012, was warned earlier this year for “inappropriate” remarks he made about contestants back in 2020. He apologised for his remarks, adding: “These were private conversations and – like most conversations with friends – were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry.”
On joining Britain’s Got Talent, Tonioli said: “Here we are, Britain’s Got Talent. I am so excited. It’s my first show, I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m sure it’s going to be brilliant.”
And the BGT studio audience will also have a bigger part to play this year after being given a Golden Buzzer of their own.
“There were more Golden Buzzers this year,” said Cowell. “We have eight. I don’t want to give too much away but there was one Golden Buzzer moment. I think in all the years, I’ve done this show because, you know, it wasn’t really supposed to happen because we run out [of buzzers].”
“It was kind of chaotic at this moment because the audience really dictated it, they did not let this go [for this act]. They’re not going to leave. So we kind of said you know what, why don’t we just give the audience a Golden Buzzer.”
Britain’s Got Talent 2023 hosts
Britain’s Got Talent will be hosted once again by Ant & Dec, who’ve been at the helm of the show since it first began in 2007.
The duo are best known for presenting Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Limitless Win and previous titles like SMTV Live, Pop Idol, Red or Black? and Text Santa.
Who are the Britain’s Got Talent 2023 contestants?
Auditions were held in both London and Manchester for the first time since the pandemic, so viewers can expect the calibre of talent this year to be “the best the competition has ever seen”.
Who was the Britain’s Got Talent 2022 winner?
Last year’s season of BGT was won by Axel Blake, a comedian from West London who’d previously worked as a property maintenance manager.
He made it through to the live shows after receiving the Golden Buzzer from judge Simon Cowell.
Britain’s Got Talent 2023 starts on Saturday 15th April and Sunday 16th April on ITV1. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on.
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