On Saturday night, the 18th series of ITV's "Britain's Got Talent" (BGT) commenced, captivating audiences with an intriguing mix of performances and the debut appearance of guest judge, KSI. The popular YouTube star and boxer took over the judging panel for Bruno Tonioli, who was unavailable due to commitments with "Dancing with the Stars." KSI's introduction to the panel was met with widespread fanfare, leading many viewers to express their desire for him to become a permanent judge. Fans flocked to social media to praise his energetic and humorous approach, with comments like “KSI was made for BGT” and calls for his return for more episodes.
The producers of Britain’s Got Talent reached out to KSI, leveraging his significant social media following, which exceeds 80 million across various platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. A source commented on this strategic move, indicating that KSI’s entertainment background aligns perfectly with the shifting focus of the show towards a younger, more digitally engaged audience. KSI himself expressed excitement about his role, stating to The Sun, “I really enjoyed the experience... If I did make a good impression and they do want me back, you know, I’m fully down!”
The episode featured a standout performance by Auzzy Blood, a three-time Guinness World Record holder known for his extreme sword-swallowing acts. His performance, which included inserting a corkscrew through his nose and out of his mouth, left the judges—Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli—stunned and elicited a mix of horror and fascination from the audience. Simon Cowell remarked, "It's spooky horror where you don't want to watch it, but you do want to watch it," acknowledging the potentially controversial nature of the act. Auzzy’s dangerous routine prompted a disclaimer advising viewers not to attempt such stunts at home.
Despite this dramatic opening episode, viewing figures were lower than expected, with 5.4 million people tuning in. This represents a drop of nearly three million from the previous year's premiere, prompting ITV to reevaluate their programming strategy for the show, which will now air every Saturday night.
Adding to the day’s events, the filming of the episode was not without its own mishaps. Co-host Ant McPartlin suffered a minor injury after headbutting a coconut during a comedic segment. Oblivious to his injury at first, he remarked, “Do not punch coconuts kids, it really hurts,” before discovering that he was bleeding. His co-host, Declan Donnelly, alerted him to his condition, leading to an amusing exchange with the medic regarding the treatment of his wound.
Additionally, Simon Cowell recounted a nerve-wracking encounter involving a contestant attempting to smash watermelons with a sledgehammer, which nearly resulted in injury. He shared, “It was the closest, genuinely, where I'm thinking, 'they actually want to kill me'," reflecting on the pivotal intervention of health and safety staff.
"Britain's Got Talent" will return for its second episode on Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX. With the combination of new judging dynamics, daring performances, and unforeseen incidents, the show continues to provide a platform for both thrilling entertainment and discussions surrounding its evolving format.
Source: Noah Wire Services