ALL SHOOK UP
Britain’s Got Talent major schedule shake-up confirmed as show goes live in new timeslot – it’s less than a month away
The 2024 winner Sydnie Christmas’s audition was viewed 54million times in six weeks
BRITAIN'S Got Talent has been confirmed in a major schedule shake-up as the show goes live in a brand new timeslot - and it's less than a month away.
However, despite the new format, the live shows will remain at Eventim Apollo.
3
3
3
It has been confirmed that Britain's Got Talent will go live on Saturday 26th April for five weeks of semi-finals and the live final will then take place on Saturday 31st May.
ITV have also extended its contract with the show's producers Fremantle for a further series.
Sources have suggested the new deal is for three series through to 2028, though this has not been confirmed by ITV.
However, a call for acts for the 2026 season has already gone out, with auditions expected to be soon.
Britain's Got Talent
A TV insider said: “BGT has been on since 2007 and viewing numbers are higher than ever — it’s just fans are watching it differently.
In all, BGT’s last series was viewed 660million times across Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.
The 2024 winner Sydnie Christmas’s audition was viewed 54million times in six weeks.
The insider added: “BGT has often, unfairly, been criticised for including a mix of British and foreign acts. But these can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere in the world.
Most read in News TV
"Compare that to Strictly whose stars are mostly known only to British audiences.”
The current series is the last in the existing contract, and the new deals will begin next year with its nineteenth series.
BGT fans work out exact moment magician ‘revealed’ her trick after show ‘fix’ row
Ant & Dec will once again lead viewers through a series of auditions featuring a wonderful array of talent, who’ll be performing to secure a spot in the finals by impressing the four judges.
The current line-up of judges are Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and special guest judge KSI.
However, fans of the current series were recently up in arms after discovering one magic act, Alexandra Burgio, had already found fame on a sister series.
Viewers of the ITV show were left doing a double take after they recognised the female star, who arrived on stage with her mouth taped up as part of her quirky routine.
Timeline of BGT Winners
Britain's Got Talent has been thrilling fans since it burst onto the scene in 2007.
Here we take a look at all the BGT winners - from the first ever one to the most recent:
2007: Paul Potts - The first ever winner of BGT was opera singer Paul Potts. He saw off competition from Connie Talbot, The Bar Wizards, Bessie Cursors, Damon Scott and Kombat Breakers to win.
2008: George Sampson - In series two of Britain’s Got Talent a young George Sampson wowed judges and viewers with his impressive dance moves.
2009: Diversity - Dance troupe Diversity scooped the BGT crown and beat of competition from singer Susan Boyle, who was strongly tipped to win the show.
2010 - Spellbound: Gymnastic troupe Spellbound really impressed judge Simon Cowell with their stunning routines and incredible stunts in 2010. At the time, the music mogul said: “I can only say on live television that was one of the most astonishing things I have ever seen.”
2011 - Jai McDowall: Viewers were stunned when Jai McDowall won the show in 2011, as young singer Ronan Parke was the favourite to win the series.
2012 - Ashleigh and Pudsy: Ashleigh Butler and her adorable pooch Pudsey stole hearts when they performed in series six of the talent show.
2013 - Attraction: Hungarian shadow artist group Attraction won the seventh series of Britain’s Got Talent. The squad had taken part in the German version of BGT in 2012, however, they had only placed seventh.
2014 - Collabro: Classical music band Collabro faced tough competition in the 2014 final as all the finalist were singers, but they went on to scoop the crown.
2015 - Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse: Dog lovers everywhere could't get enough of Jules O’Dwyer and pet pup Matisse. The impressive duo even performed on a tightrope to secure their win.
2016 - Richard Jones: Army man Richard Jones became the first magician in the show’s history to win Britain’s Got Talent.
2017 - Tokio Myers: Pianist Tokio Myers impressed the judges with his blend of classical and electronic music.
2018 - Lost Voice Guy: Stand-up comedian Lost Voice Guy, who performs with a speech synthesiser, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was six months old. However, he defied the odds and is a BGT champ.
2019 - Colin Thackery: Veteran army officer Colin Thackery warmed the nations hearts with his singing voice. He was crowned winner of BGT after singing Michael Ball's Love Changes Everything.
2020 - Jon Courtenay: Singer and pianist Jon Courtenay was Ant and Dec's Golden Buzzer act. After he won the £250,000 prize he said: ""Just amazing, I can't believe it."
2022 - Axel Blake: Comedian Axel Blake scooped the crown after the show was off air for two years during Covid.
2023 - Viggo Venn: Known for his high-vis jackets, comedian Viggo Venn was victorious in 2023.
2024 - Sydnie Christmas: The reigning champ is singer Sydnie Christmas.
And despite their amazement of her act some fans were quick to expose her reality TV past.
With 4,000 Instagram followers, she was first spotted on Canada's Got Talent - a show on which she has featured twice.
Just last year, she reached the semi final stage of BGT's sister show.
Alex has also found further fame as part of celebrated magician duo Penn and Teller's US TV series Fool Us, two years ago.
One fan was quick to take to YouTube to call out a "fix" as one put "so obviously rigged".
Another moaned: "Nothing against the woman, BUT this act has already been on Canada Got Talent TWICE… once as an assistant and 2nd was on her own.
"Far as I know she got as far as the semi finals. She’s also been on Penn & Teller’s show."
One then ranted: "Such a poor magic act and NOT ORIGINAL," as another referenced her Penn and Teller skit and said: "Does she do anything else?"
Read more on the Scottish Sun
A fan then mused: "Knew I’d seen her before. She did the exact same act on Penn and Teller's Fool Us."
Britain's Got Talent continues on ITV on Saturday and is available to stream on ITVX.