BGT Producers Issue Stern Warning to Judges Over Stink Bomb Scheme
Two judges from Britain's Got Talent found themselves in hot water with ITV show producers after a mischievous prank plot was uncovered during filming. Amanda Holden disclosed that the panel members received a firm reprimand when it was revealed that Simon Cowell had visited a local joke shop near Blackpool's Winter Gardens during breaks in production.
Simon Cowell's Naughty Side Emerges During Filming Breaks
The head judge and creator of the talent show, Simon Cowell, 66, decided to indulge his playful side by purchasing stink bombs from the shop. However, production staff soon discovered the items and intervened before any prank could be executed. Amanda Holden, 55, explained to Metro: 'Word got round that the stink bombs had been bought and the producers gave us a big talking to. We weren’t allowed them...'
Golden Buzzer Chaos and On-Set Havoc Described by Judges
Fellow judge Alesha Dixon, who has been on the series since 2012, confirmed that the latest season was filled with what she called 'bonkers' antics from the panel. She recounted an incident where judges were fiercely competing over golden buzzers, leading her to dive across the table to prevent Simon from reaching one first. Production then asked her to recreate the dramatic moment for television viewers.
Alesha added: 'I could sense Simon getting up, and I literally dived. I’ve never dived before. I dived onto the desk and then they wanted me to recreate this dive... I injured myself just to stop him getting his way, but it was so funny. This season felt like we were back to the chaos that we love on our show. More than ever it just felt really bonkers.'
New Judge KSI Admits Causing Havoc and Embracing the Bad Guy Role
The newest addition to the judging panel, KSI, supported these claims by admitting he caused 'havoc' on set during one golden buzzer act. The YouTube star, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, stated: 'A golden buzzer act literally left the other judges speechless and we don’t often see them stuck for words. 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.'
KSI explained that he is comfortable playing the 'bad guy' on the show, offering brutally honest feedback to contestants. He said: '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. 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.'
Panel Chemistry Develops Quickly Despite Diverse Personalities
Despite their varied backgrounds, the judges have rapidly built strong chemistry both on and off camera. KSI noted that he has learned to recognize when Simon Cowell is in a mischievous mood. He shared: '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. 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.'
KSI also revealed he can now predict when his fellow judges are about to use their golden buzzers, saying: '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.'
Britain's Got Talent Set for 2026 Return with Updated Panel
The popular talent competition, which first aired in 2007, is scheduled to return to ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday, 21 February 2026. The show continues to attract substantial audiences, with average viewership numbers ranging between five and seven million.
The 2026 judging panel will feature Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and newcomer KSI, replacing Bruno Tonioli who stepped down at the end of 2025. Veteran presenters Ant and Dec will return as hosts. The winner will receive a £250,000 cash prize and a performance slot at the Royal Variety Show.
Insider Reveals Reasons Behind Bruno Tonioli's Replacement
An insider explained that Bruno Tonioli's departure was a difficult decision due to his long-standing friendship with Simon Cowell and scheduling conflicts with other commitments like Dancing with the Stars. The source told The Sun: 'It was really tough knowing he had to let Bruno go because they couldn’t get the filming dates to work out with his commitments on Dancing with the Stars. Simon is always looking for new ways to keep the show evolving and loves to get the opinion of his young son.'
The insider added that Simon's son, Eric, was influential in selecting KSI as the replacement, describing him as Eric's favorite influencer. They stated: 'Eric was a big influence for Simon in choosing Bruno's replacement. He's obsessed with him and adores him, KSI is Eric's favourite influencer. Plus, he's been such a hit as a guest judge and Simon recognises they need to keep the show different by moving forward to keep attracting the younger audience.'
The source concluded that while Bruno appealed to older viewers, KSI's massive social media presence is expected to draw younger audiences, aligning with Simon Cowell's strategy to modernize Britain's Got Talent for continued success.
