Britain’s Got Talent beginner KSI reveals Golden Buzzer act that left judges ‘speechless with disgust’ – and shares how he ‘triggered havoc’ on ITV set by ‘being the brand new dangerous man’

Loud, manic and with a keen eye for the outlandish, influencer KSI has replaced Bruno Tonioli on the BGT panel. And his co-judges say he’s a breath of fresh air.

KSI doesn’t pretend he’s flawless, and that’s exactly why he’s sitting in the most coveted seat on Saturday-night TV. 

Britain’s Got Talent, now in its 19th series, is built on risk and reaction, rewarding contestants who bounce back stronger – just like the YouTube pioneer turned chart-topping musician, boxer and co-founder of global drinks brand Prime.

‘I’ve made so many mistakes in my life,’ says the 32-year-old, who has apologised in the past for making offensive comments online. 

‘As a guy on the internet for so long, people have seen my mistakes over and over. But what’s different about me, and I think why I have such a big audience, is because whenever I make a mistake I learn from it, and I don’t make that same mistake again.’

Now, after a successful guest slot last year, he’s been made a permanent BGT judge alongside veterans Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, replacing Bruno Tonioli. 

He’s key to a new era for BGT, with his fellow judges seeing KSI as the show’s modern upgrade. 

Born Olajide Olatunji and also known to fans as JJ, he knows exactly what he is: a breath of fresh air who backs the barmier acts and gives the panel a punchier edge.

This year, with his irresistible enthusiasm, he champions a choir of countryside farmers founded by Jeremy Clarkson, a trio of maverick magicians who have Simon out in the Blackpool streets hunting for a watermelon, and a performer who leaves the judges squirming by falling on mousetraps and carpet grippers.

‘A golden buzzer act literally left the other judges speechless and we don’t often see them stuck for words,’ he laughs. 

‘But I’ve caused havoc because although the other judges were disgusted, I thought it was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. I’m quite a loud, expressive person and I’m happy to get on stage and jump around. I’m there to really get involved whether it’s judging or getting involved with the acts.’

 

And I feel that being as honest as I am has helped a lot, too. With previous seasons, people were scared to upset people or step on people’s toes.

‘I don’t mind being the bad guy. I’m going to tell it how it is. If I see something boring I’ll tell them it’s boring. Maybe I need to work on my vocabulary, but that’s just how I am. 

‘I feel like the audience respects that. I value the truth. Don’t sugarcoat it, just tell me how it is, then I’ll be able to adapt and improve. I won’t waste time trying to get better if I’m not going to improve.’

Key to KSI’s improvement has been therapy. ‘For me, therapy was fantastic. With boxing training, for example, physically you need to train to improve. But you also have to train your mind. 

‘That’s what therapy is, constantly training your mind, trying to unlock yourself, trying to figure things out, and say, “How can I improve my thinking and better myself?”

‘I feel like I’ve unlocked myself so I can do more. With that, I’ve been able to succeed in life. I’ve had times where I’ve been so down, so depressed, so lost, and therapy has helped so much with that. Because sometimes with your friends you just butt heads, whereas with a therapist you get to freely speak your mind.’

On and off camera, the judges have quickly built up a brilliant chemistry. ‘Considering we haven’t known each other properly for very long, and we’re all quite different personalities, we’ve all become close in a short space of time,’ says KSI.

‘I’ve even learnt the look Simon has when he’s in a wind-up mood. Then I know Amanda is going to be in for a day of it because I see the glint in his eye, and I know he’s going to keep us on our toes.

‘I’ve also started to spot the signs of when they’re going to push their golden buzzers. They each have this poker face they pull, but I can spot them and know the hand they’re going to play.’

Amanda’s always loved the big spectacle acts. ‘This year we’ve got fire and wind, and we’ve also got drones, which are like the new fireworks, aren’t they?’ she says. 

‘They were absolutely phenomenal, they designed the most amazing drone sequence to celebrate how brilliant we are in Great Britain, with great music behind it. I just kept thinking, “Oh my God, this is the future.”’

And she’s blunt about what KSI brings to the panel. ‘He looks through the eyes of social media, saying, “That’s going to go viral.” Having KSI there is really going to up our game. His energy is incredible.’

Not unlike Amanda herself. ‘I am my own best life coach,’ says the 54-year-old. ‘I’m very ambitious and constantly striving to stay relevant. I’m always up for any challenge. 

‘I stretch myself every single day to live up to my own standards. Even when I have a day off I don’t find it easy to relax. So I’ll tidy out a wardrobe or reorganise my 14-year-old’s hideous make-up drawer.’

What makes it workable is her personal and professional support system. ’My friends are all down-to-earth women who love a drink and a boogie and just march through life doing the best they can. 

‘I’ve got the most amazing right-hand woman and manager and a team of amazing people. 

‘At home I have a school mums’ network who are so supportive knowing that everything’s nuts in my house, so they’ve got my back if I forget something.’

But underpinning all of it is her backbone. ‘I’ve always been a very honest person. I’ve always said to myself, “I’ve got my own back and I’m always ready to fight for myself.”

‘But I’ll always look after, or put my arm around, any friend that needs it. I hate injustice of any kind. I’ve been like that since school. My mum says I’ve always been the champion of the underdog.’

Alesha, 47, seconds that. ‘There’s never any need to be mean,’ she says. ‘When somebody gets constructive criticism and they actually listen, you warm to them even more.’

That warmth extends to the changing faces on the panel too. ‘Bruno is such a gorgeous human, he sent me a lovely message saying he would miss us all. 

‘But KSI is part of the furniture now. He’s a breath of fresh air who loves all the crazy acts, the crazier the better. We definitely have very different ideas about what’s entertaining but it’s great to have that diversity,’ she says.

And then there’s Simon, who Alesha believes is back on his sharpest form. ‘He was on fire this year and had us in fits of laughter,’ she reveals. ‘KSI would look at me as if to say, “Did he really just say that?” And I’m like, “Yeah, Simon’s back.” There’s never a dull day when Simon’s around.’

Veteran that he is, Simon, 66, prides himself on reading the room when he’s judging. ‘I can feel what’s going on behind me, whether the audience likes something or not,’ he says. ‘And it’s very accurate, actually. It’s a very good barometer because the audience don’t fake it.’

He’s found KSI an inspiration, and sees the similarities in their backgrounds. ‘We both started pretty much with nothing and built something, and I think that’s probably why we get on well,’ he explains. 

‘He wasn’t given anything in the same way I wasn’t given anything. He’s worked hard. He’s also really, really nice. What you see on camera is what you see off camera.’

And in Simon’s book, nothing beats progress under pressure. ‘BGT is a real competition and that’s what I like. I like to see people who have raised the bar from their first audition.’

It’s the same rule KSI lives by: make the mistake, learn the lesson and come back even stronger.

Britain’s Got Talent starts on 21 February on ITV1 and ITVX.