Ant and Dec reveal how they really feel about Britain’s Got Talent’s huge format change as live semi-finals kick off
ANT and Dec have revealed their true feelings about Britain’s GHot Talent’s huge format shakeup ahead of tonight’s live show.
The ITV variety competition is airing its longest ever series in the history of the show, filling the gap once occupied by Saturday Night Takeaway.
In addition, as the semi-finals of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent kick off, for the first time since the show launched in 2007, the heats will take place every Saturday evening rather than airing nightly across a single week – and hosts Ant and Dec reckon it’ll take things up a level.
“I really think the live shows will be more spectacular than ever this year,” smiles Dec, 49.
“As they’re now going out weekly, it will have a really positive impact for the acts because they’ll be able to work on their performances.”
Ahead of tonight’s first live show – when the public vote will open – TV Mag spoke to each of the nine Golden Buzzer acts who the judges and hosts put straight through to the semis.
But can Ant and Dec pick a favourite to claim that £250,000 prize and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance?
“We had this conversation in Blackpool [during the auditions] and both of us agreed that it’s so hard to call this year,” says Dec.
“I think it will be somebody that will raise their game between their first audition and the final.”
“We can feel it in the auditions, but it’s not until it goes out on TV that you really get a sense of who could win,” says Ant, 49. “So it’s up to the public.”
“We’re always very proud of the acts that go on and achieve success,” adds Dec.
“It’s a testament to the show and to the British public who took time to vote for the acts, recognised their talent and propelled them to stardom.”
“I also don’t necessarily think we hear about all the success stories,” says Ant.
“There’s been so many British and international acts that broke on Britain’s Got Talent and have then been exported around the world.
“The show really does help them more than we think.”
Olly Pearson
Olly, who was taught to play the guitar during lockdown by his grandad, stunned the judges with his epic melody of rock anthems at Blackpool. And the 11 year old admits that he would never be parted from his instrument if he had it his way.
“When I play guitar, I never want to stop,” smiles Olly, who won Amanda’s first Golden Buzzer. “There are so many songs, riffs and sounds that a guitar can make. I am even starting to make my own music. If I could play guitar all day, every day, I would!”
Olly is an AC/DC superfan and went to see the band at Wembley last year.
“I love their music, their unique sound and how the lead guitarist Angus Young commands the stage,” he says. “His energy is amazing. I will never forget seeing 90,000 fans all singing and rocking out – what an awesome sound.”
And the schoolboy, who kept his audition a secret from his pals until it was on telly, hopes to recreate something similar to the rock group in the live shows – and even for the monarch at the Royal Variety Performance if he wins.
“I would love to have the chance to show King Charles how cool rock music is, even though it is loud,” he says. “Everybody needs rock on their playlist!”
LINDA MUDZENDA
Originally from Zimbabwe, Linda has lived in Britain for the past two years. But she has always been a huge fan of Britain’s Got Talent, and when the opportunity came along to audition for the show she’d watched for years on YouTube, she knew she had to take it.
“I auditioned in 2024, but I didn’t get through because I was so nervous I couldn’t even sing,” Linda, 21, reveals to TV Mag. “I tried again this year and it went really well.”
That is an understatement. Linda almost moved guest judge KSI to tears, and Alesha pressed her Golden Buzzer. She has since been compared to the likes of Adele.
“It’s amazing people are comparing me to her,” Linda beams. “She is really good.”
While all of her family and friends – especially her mum, who Linda is determined to buy anything she wants should she win the competition – are rightfully proud of her, Linda admits that the reaction of one person left her in bits.
“I’m a support worker and take care of children who were taken from their parents, or children who have experienced trauma,” she explains. “When my episode came out, the next day at work this young person I care for was waiting for me on the doorstep. He said: ‘Linda, I am proud of you. I called everyone. I told them this is my support worker.’”
While she is busily preparing for the live shows, Linda still has to pinch herself that she got that Golden Buzzer.
“I have a piece of golden confetti that stays at the back of my phone,” she laughs. “It’s a source of confidence for me. I’m like: ‘Oh, girl, you did it. You actually went and you did it.’”
ELECTRIC UMBRELLA
Made up of members ranging from five to 66 years old, this rock group (below) sparked joy with an original song called Acceptance. There wasn’t a dry eye when Simon sent them straight through to the live shows.
“Electric Umbrella began with one simple but powerful idea: that learning-disabled people deserve vibrant, meaningful and creative lives filled with purpose, connection, and joy,” explains co-founder Mel Boda. “For our members, being on that stage means the world. Many of them have spent their lives being underestimated or overlooked. This is a powerful moment of recognition.
“Every single piece of that golden confetti was validation – not just for the performance, but for the message behind it. We’re thrilled to be able to share our mission with the nation.”
STACEY LEADBEATTER
When supermarket worker Stacey, 29, walked on to the stage at Blackpool, it was clear that she was a nervous wreck. The mum of one has suffered from confidence issues all f her life, but she ended up blowing everyone away with her version of Run and secured a Golden Buzzer from KSI.
“I couldn’t finish because I saw an elderly man crying while I was singing,” she reveals about her moving audition. “I was bullied when I was younger due to my speech. I worked hard on my lisp but now it makes me unique.
“Going on stage was one of the scariest moments in my life. My legs turned to jelly. But my goal was to put a smile on Simon’s face with my vocals and I am so proud. I’m really nervous to go live, but I can do this. I finally believe in myself.”
VINNIE MCKEE
It’s not surprising that holiday park entertainer Vinnie looked emotional after his BGT audition, as he applied following the sudden death of his brother Frankie, 48, in May 2024.
“It was the worst time of our lives and my mum’s still devastated to this day,” admits Vinnie, from Glasgow, who’d buy a retirement home for parents Ann and Joe if he wins. “I feel like Britain’s Got Talent has given her something to be excited about again.”
Vinnie, 29, was stunned when Simon Cowell took to the stage after pressing the Golden Buzzer for him.
“He was so nice,” beams Vinnie. “He made me look at the crowd and I couldn’t believe it, everybody was on their feet screaming.”
While he grew up listening to Whitney Houston and his mum’s favourite, Shania Twain, Vinnie wanted to do something different for his first audition and struck gold by slowing down The Proclaimers’ 1988 hit I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), which became a viral sensation.
“The most crazy part was that I overtook Lady Gaga and Beyoncé on the trending list on YouTube!” he laughs. “A few celebrities have been posting me on their social media too.”
It’s all a world away from Vinnie’s day job at Thurston Manor near Edinburgh, where he runs kids’ clubs and does the bingo calling.
“When I started in the holiday parks, I really loved it,” he says. “My dream was to be this singer who performs for people and gets them to listen to my own music, but the dream got further away over the years. Now there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m on cloud nine with how far I’ve got.”
WILL BURNS
He’s the self-confessed Britain’s Got Talent superfan who had BGT-themed birthday parties and a BGT bedroom as a kid. Then Will’s impressions prompted Ant and Dec – his heroes – to push their Golden Buzzer, a moment he still describes as “out of body”.
“As a kid, I’d re-enact the show and the family would be the judges,” says Will, 25. “It’s one thing faffing around in your living room pretending to juggle lemons in front of your dad, but as I got older, I never felt like I had an act until I started doing stand-up.
“I have always done impersonations. Being such a fan of BGT and The X Factor, I was hearing that iconic Peter Dickson voice every week. It wasn’t until the last year or so that I started merging the impressions and stand-up – it was a game changer.”
So Will decided to follow his dream and audition at Blackpool. After telling jokes that poked fun at Alesha’s laugh among other things, his place in the live shows was cemented.
“Amanda mouthed to me to put the confetti in my pocket so I took quite a lot home,” he reveals. “I’m not actually kidding. I found some behind my sofa the other day!”
Will has some brand-new impressions, which have been going down well with his mum!
“Doing it live on TV is quite the contrast,” he grins. “But I have to say, it’s less scary knowing you’re doing it on your favourite show. It’s been such a massive part of my life since I was seven, so knowing that it’s Britain’s Got Talent is a comfort blanket for me.”
MAX FOX
Theatrical singer Max, 35, wasn’t even supposed to be auditioning when he won Amanda’s second Golden Buzzer after belting out Frank Sinatra’s My Way.
“I’m a fan of all of Simon’s shows and when I was 12, I had a poster of [Pop Idol runner-up] Gareth Gates on my bedroom wall,” Max tells us.
“I’ve been applying for Simon’s talent shows since I was 16. This year I went to support a friend who was auditioning, I was in the audience. Completely unplanned, something told me to shout out to Simon. Luckily, he turned around!
“My semi-final performance, without spoiling it… it’s going to be big. I want to give people watching a real moment – something visually stunning and emotionally moving.”
MAYA GIOTEA
Theatrical singer Max, 35, wasn’t even supposed to be auditioning when he won Amanda’s second Golden Buzzer after belting out Frank Sinatra’s My Way.
“I’m a fan of all of Simon’s shows and when I was 12, I had a poster of [Pop Idol runner-up] Gareth Gates on my bedroom wall,” Max tells us.
“I’ve been applying for Simon’s talent shows since I was 16. This year I went to support a friend who was auditioning, I was in the audience. Completely unplanned, something told me to shout out to Simon. Luckily, he turned around!
“My semi-final performance, without spoiling it… it’s going to be big. I want to give people watching a real moment – something visually stunning and emotionally moving.”
THE BLACKOUTS
We’ve seen dance troupes aplenty over the years on BGT, but the USP of this particular gang from Switzerland is of course that they perform everything in the dark, wearing nifty light-up suits.
“The Blackouts began back in 2014 at a gymnastics entertainment event in our hometown,” explains founder Jonas Schneider. “It was just a fun idea for a single weekend show. I came up with the concept of performing in total darkness with LED suits. Together with three friends, we built our first suits by hand. We thought it would be a one-time performance, but the audience immediately started asking ‘Can we book you for our event?’ That moment made us realise we were onto something special.”
Their stunning audition performance left all four of the judges reaching for the Golden Buzzer thanks to the inclusion of London landmarks and even a black cab, which was hand built for the show. But it hasn’t always been so flawless…
“Performing in the dark feels a bit like flying a plane through fog,” laughs member Elias, Jonas’ brother.
“You have to rely completely on your instruments and your crew. Of course, there’s always a tiny chance something unexpected could happen, but we’ve become real pros at keeping calm and carrying on. And honestly, that’s part of the fun and adrenaline of what we do!”
They promise another riveting routine for their live semi finals, and one day hope to bring their act to the masses.
“One of our biggest wishes is to perform a full-length show in Britain, so that people from all over Britain can experience our performance live,” reveals Jonas. “We’d even love to have a permanent show in Las Vegas. But most of all, we want to keep seeing the sparkle in the eyes of our audience. That’s truly the biggest reward for us.”
- The Sun’s TV Mag is available inside Saturday’s newspaper
Britain's Got Talent's biggest 'fix' rows
Britain's Got Talent has been plagued with 'fix' rows over the years. How many of these do you remember?
Jasmine Elcock – 2016: Teenage singer Jasmine Elcock stunned the nation with her version of Cher’s Believe. But it then transpired she had already performed professionally in London’s West End. Jasmine, 14, admitted: “I’ve performed in Annie in the West End at about the age of nine or 10, but I really get nervous.”
IrShad Shaikh – 2017: BGT fans were left questioning the rule book when IrShad Shaikh auditioned. He got four red buzzers from the judges, which would usually mean an instant dismissal. Yet in a strange turn of events, they let him continue with his act…and put him through to the next round.
Colin Thackery – 2019: Elderly war veteran Colin won BGT in 2019, but there was an outcry over the final. He warbled his place to win with a version of We’ll Meet Again but fans were furious that escapologist Jonathan Goodwin didn’t even rank in the top three. Viewers felt Jonathan – who almost suffocated while being buried alive in a gravel pit – should have won.
Axel Blake – 2022: Comedian Axel Blake was given a Golden Buzzer in 2022 after making the judges laugh. But fans were fuming when they discovered Axel already had a show on worldwide streaming platform Amazon Prime. Despite this, Axel still went on to win the series.
Taryn Charles – 2024: Singer Taryn Charles is one of this year’s hopefuls lucky enough to receive the Golden Buzzer. Bruno Tonilio put her straight through to the semi-finals following her performance of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin, but it has now come to light that she is no stranger to TV. Viewers recognised Taryn from an episode of ITV1’s Starstruck, where she impersonated Whitney Houston for judges Olly Murs, Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert and Beverley Knight.