Britain’s Got Talent viewers were ‘disgusted’ after Saturday night’s show when ‘marmite” performer, Baron, flew through the air – hooked up by his nipples
15:35, 04 Mar 2026Updated 15:35, 04 Mar 2026
Britain’s Got Talent has been hit with a number of Ofcom complaints(Image: DIGITAL/EROTEME.CO.UK)
Britain’s Got Talent has been hit with a number of Ofcom complaints after Saturday night’s show. Thousands of viewers had tuned in to see the latest instalment of the ITV talent programme, which is celebrating its 19th series. There was plenty to enjoy with a whole host of acts getting the judge’s approval, but when performing duo, Baron and Vesper, appeared on stage, things took a turn.
Flying through the air, hooked up by his nipples, earlobes and various other body parts, Baron’s performance needed to be seen to be believed. Off stage, co-host Declan Donnelly could be heard saying: “Obviously don’t try this at home, it’s very dangerous,” as a warning flashed up on-screen urging viewers not to copy what they were about to see.
However, despite the warning, some viewers complained they were physically sick after the stunt, with several phoning up Ofcom to make their feelings known.
The broadcasting regulator received a total of 89 complaints following the show after the performance was so extreme even the judges looked uncomfortable while some audience members shielded their eyes. Turning to YouTube star, KSI, fellow judge Alesha Dixon exclaimed: “Even you’re shocked” as Baron exposed a nipple.
As the performer, still with the hooks through him, started to approach the judges’ desk with his partner still airborne, judge, Amanda Holden, ran away, screaming: “Oh my God he’s coming, he’s coming,” barely able to watch the act unfold. “I don’t know what to look at,” KSI added.
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Viewers at home also struggled to watch the act, with many left divided by what they had just seen. One viewer fumed: “This needs to stop in the bedroom, not on TV.” Another wrote: “Don’t know whether to clap or cry or to gag or to do all three?” A third said simply: “I feel physically sick.”
Another said: “That’s not talent, that’s just stupidity.” before one other viewer chipped in: “Well I’ll not try that at home” and simply: “MAKE IT STOP!”
Despite the squeamish nature of the act, the duo won a standing ovation from the live audience. Co-host Ant McPartlin, watching from the side of the stage, commented: “That’s something we haven’t seen before and we’ve seen almost everything on this show.”
Offering her feedback on the act, Alesha said: “I found it difficult to watch, and weird and brilliant,” while Amanda said: “It looked awful in the best way,” saving herself from the crowd’s boos by swiftly adding: “It was horrifically brilliant.”
The pair won a yes from both Amanda and Alesha, while KSI said no. Meanwhile , head honcho, Simon Cowell had the deciding vote, throwing it to the audience, who cheered enthusiastically, earning the peculiar pair a place in the next round.
Simon Cowell, who was known for his brutal takedowns of fame-hungry hopefuls, is ‘back’ according to Britain’s Got Talent co-star Amanda Holden, who says his toned-down persona is gone
Amanda Holden says ‘the old Simon Cowell is back’ as BGT judge ditches ‘Mr Soft act’(Image: Netflix)
Amanda Holden believes her Britain’s Got Talent co-star Simon Cowell is back to his former, more straight-talking self, having ditched his “Mr Soft” act. As the ITV talent hunt gets underway, Amanda is glad to see the return of Simon’s infamous “one liners”, on the “chaotic” new series.
The new series, which began on 21st February, has already frustrated viewers at home. During the first episode fans were getting worked up over the ‘overuse’ of the infamous golden buzzer. As Ant and Dec reminded viewers at the start of the show, the golden buzzer is used when one of the judges deemed a contestant good enough to bypass the rest of the auditions and go straight through to the semi-final.
But while fans were already complaining, Amanda Holden has promised this series will be full of drama. As reported by the Mail, she explained: “Simon is back. He’s been Mr Soft in recent years, and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that KSI is so honest on the other end of the panel.”
Explaining he is done with ‘sugar coating’ his comments, she added: “I’m glad to see that Simon is no longer being soft serve ice-cream, although it was nice for a year or so!”
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Amanda says the new series “feels very loose and very chaotic”, with KSI helping the show thanks to his “succint” answers. Meanwhile “the old Simon” is back, with the Heart Radio host saying she is “loving” that Simon’s “one liners are better than ever”.
Simon has assured fans there will be “lots of surprises”, with more behind-the-scenes filming, letting the audience at home “behind the Wizard of Oz’s curtain”. But Amanda has recently admitted he “hated” one aspect of filming the new series.
The star was forced to step into head judge Simon’s role, after he had to miss filming after falling down some steps and hitting his head. The brief shake up saw Amanda thrust into head judge duties, with X Factor runner up Stacey Solomon joining the panel as a guest.
As reported by the Daily Star, Amanda explained: “I must admit I hated sitting in that seat! I’ve been on the show the longest, so I understand why I probably need to sit in that seat, but when I was there, I felt very outcast on the end.
“It’s okay if your team are sat to the left of you, Simon’s got dozens of staff and family watching from the side and communicating with him. Mine all decided to eat my snacks and sit in the dressing room paying no attention to the show or me whatsoever!
“Simon said to me, ‘You must have loved it. Did you feel powerful?’ I said I hated it because I had to keep leaning in to be part of the conversation. I never want to sit in that seat again! I’m juicy in the middle, it’s such a good spot.”
Elsewhere, talking about Stacey joining the judging panel, Amanda said: “She’s so lovely and I think we’ve got quite a similar style of judging.
“She’s warm, she’s super funny, she has a great understanding of what it’s like to be on the other side, because she obviously auditioned for The X Factor all those years ago.
“Even though she’s smashing it in the real world now, she’s very down to earth and doesn’t have an ego, so I think that worked really nicely for the day that she was pulled in. We’re all fans of her and her crafting is through the roof. If only I could be that type of mother!”
Britain’s Got Talent viewers were left divided by the drone performance featuring King Charles’ voice that closed the first episode of the ITV series
22:32, 21 Feb 2026Updated 22:36, 21 Feb 2026
The judges were blown away by the final act(Image: ITV)
Britain’s Got Talent viewers were left split over one particular act that brought the curtain down on the opening episode of the ITV programme.
This year, hundreds of hopefuls will be greeted by award-winning presenters Ant and Dec before showcasing their abilities to judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and newcomer KSI.
Performers from every corner of the UK and across the globe will be taking to the stage, hoping not only to impress the judging panel but also the voting public, in a bid to scoop the life-changing prize of £250,000 and a coveted spot at the legendary Royal Variety Performance.
Fans were quick to voice their opinions after Somerset act Celestial closed the show with a spectacular mega-drone display. As the judges and audience filed outside, Celestial put on a breathtaking show combining drones and lights.
Towards the finale of the performance, King Charles‘ voice was heard in a poignant tribute, leaving some viewers feeling it “couldn’t have come at a worse time”, reports Belfast Live.
The voice said: “Wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love.
“Our nation and the wider family of realms, of whose talents, traditions and achievements, I am so inexpressibly proud. Have prospered and flourished, which makes us great as a nation.”
Amanda Holden remarked, “I am going to start crying.”
Responding to the act, one viewer wrote: “An act with the King’s voiceover could not have come at a worse time!”
“This is kinda sick #BGT,” wrote one viewer, whilst another chimed in with, “Not good timing but wow this is cool.”
One sharp-eyed fan noted, “Celestial- very cool very different I love it but I can’t see the King going outside to watch it that’s the only thing #BGT.”
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Another raised a valid point, asking: “How is a drone act going to work on the stage at The Royal Variety Show?”
Heaping praise on the heartfelt performance, one devoted viewer declared, “Celestial, best act of the Night #BGT.”
“Well, wasn’t that brilliant? Brought a wee tear to my eye #BGT,” gushed yet another fan.
Britain’s Got Talent is available to watch on ITVX.
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Youtuber KSI is the newest judge to the Britain’s Got Talent panel, joining the show permanently this year after a successful guest stint covering for Bruno Tonioli last year
KSI booed by Britain’s Got Talent audience as he breaks unofficial rule(Image: ITV)
KSI‘s first episode as a permanent member of Britain’s Got Talent’s judging panel didn’t get off to the best start, as a rule-breaking act led the audience to boo him.
During the show, one wowed the audiences and three of the judges, but not KSI. Dom and his dog Ninja were a parkour double act, and while their opener to the act – a video in which they did flips and jumps off of the Blackpool benches and landmarks – impressed KSI, he was unhappy with the rest.
The other judges were happy with the performance, and as such, KSI was the only one to say no to Dom and Ninja. When it was revealed that KSI has cats, the audience started to boo.
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This got the YouTuber riled up, and he began to shout back at the audience, loudly telling them: “Don’t boo my cats!” Meanwhile, Dec Donnelly, one half of the hosting duo Ant and Dec, said KSI had broken an unofficial rule on the show. “You don’t say no to dogs on Britain’s Got Talent, KSI,” he said to a camera. “It’s the rules.”
KSI is the newest judge on the panel, as this year is his first on the show. He filled in for Bruno Tonioli last year and has now taken over following Bruno’s departure.
Another guest judge on the show last year was Stacey Solomon, who filled in for Simon Cowell after he had a fall and injured his head. Judge Amanda Holden, who took over as the head judge when Simon was off, was thrilled to welcome Stacey to Britain’s Got Talent, praising her for bringing a great deal of warmth to the panel and drawing on her past experience from The X Factor in 2009.
“She’s so lovely, and I think we’ve got quite a similar style of judging,” Amanda reveals. “She’s warm, she’s super funny, she has a great understanding of what it’s like to be on the other side, because she obviously auditioned for The X Factor all those years ago.”
However, she was less pleased to be a head judge. “I must admit I hated sitting in that seat,” confessed Amanda. “I’ve been on the show the longest, so I understand why I probably need to sit in that seat, but when I was there, I felt very outcast on the end.”
Amanda concedes she felt vulnerable without a fellow judge on either side. “It’s OK if your team are sitting to the left of you – Simon’s got dozens of staff and family watching from the side and communicating with him.
“Mine all decided to eat my snacks and sit in the dressing room, paying no attention to the show or me whatsoever!” Amanda quipped.
“Simon said to me, ‘You must have loved it. Did you feel powerful?’ I said I hated it because I had to keep leaning in to be part of the conversation. I never want to sit in that seat again! I’m juicy in the middle, it’s such a good spot.”
Britain’s Got Talent returns on Saturday night – but without former Strictly star Bruno Tonioli as he quit the show in 2025 after just two years of service
Bruno Tonioli quit Britain’s Got Talent in 2025 after two years and three seasons of work(Image: GettyImages)
Britain’s Got Talent fans will notice Bruno Tonioli is missing from the line-up when the show returns to ITV on Saturday night. The former Strictly Come Dancing judge exited the series after just two years.
Head judge Simon Cowell will be joined as usual by presenter Amanda Holden and singer Alesha Dixon as the long-running series returns for a 19th season. And the Bruno-shaped hole has been seamlessly filled by YouTube sensation KSI, who BGT fans will recall appeared on the 2025 season as a guest judge.
Fans of the ITV talent show were surprised when Bruno ditched rival BBC show Strictly to join the panel in 2023, replacing controversial judge David Walliams, who appeared on the panel from 2012 until 2022. After just two years and three seasons of red and golden buzzer bashing, Bruno decided it was time to vacate his Got Talent chair – but reportedly left the show on good terms. Here is a look back at the reason Bruno quit Britain’s Got Talent.
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Why did Bruno Tonioli quit Britain’s Got Talent in 2025?
Despite appearing on BGT for three seasons, Bruno Tonioli is arguably still best known for being a judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 until 2019. The Italian TV star is also a judge on the American version of Strictly – Dancing With The Stars – and has appeared on the panel across the Atlantic since 2005.
While Bruno had been able to balance judging both Strictly and DWTS, the filming schedule for Britain’s Got Talent proved to be too challenging – with clashes ultimately forcing Bruno to walk away. In a statement released last year, Bruno explained why he was leaving the ITV show – and threw his support behind his replacement.
The 70-year-old star said: “After three incredible series, I’ve sadly had to walk away from a job which has opened my eyes to so much incredible talent and step down as a judge on BGT.
“And whilst I look forward to filming a new series of Dancing with the Stars in the US, I will miss the chaos and joy that BGT brings, as well as all the wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of working with. They truly are a brilliant team who make brilliant television, and I know KSI will be a fantastic judge too, as he’s already proven this year.”
Bruno previously opened up to the Daily Mail about the strain the constant travel between the UK and the USA was having on him. He revealed: “There is no animosity, it was a mutual decision with both of us saying, ‘Listen, this is not going to work like it used to.’ I just couldn’t do the flying anymore. I don’t know how I survived that schedule. To be honest, it’s a miracle.”
What has KSI said of replacing Bruno as a BGT judge?
Britain’s Got Talent fans will recall seeing YouTube star and rapper KSI – real name Olajide Olatunji, 32 – filling in for Bruno at certain points during the 2025 season as his busy schedule kept him away from the UK. After wowing audiences as well as the fellow judges, KSI seemed like an obvious choice to take over from Bruno full-time.
The rap star has been enthusiastic about his promotion as a full-time judge – and vowed to help the panel uncover more undisputable talent via the ITV show. He said in a past statement: “I’m so grateful and happy to be a part of Britain’s Got Talent team for another season.”
He added: “I had such a good time last year, and I can’t wait to see some more top talent. I’m full of energy, ready to go, and can’t wait to make this the most entertaining BGT season ever. Let’s do this.”
What has Simon Cowell said about losing Bruno as a judge?
While head judge Simon Cowell, 66, has not explicitly commented on Bruno’s BGT exit, it has been reported that he supported the dance expert’s decision to leave – and consulted his young son Eric, 12, before announcing KSI as a replacement. A source told The Sun last year: “Simon’s been friends with Bruno for over 35 years and loved working with him on BGT.
“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. 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 added: “Bruno was popular with the grannies, but KSI is for the youngsters. KSI has a huge social media presence and Simon knows how important it is to keep the show more modern.”
Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV and ITVX on Saturday night at 7pm.
A BRITAIN’S Got Talent star was accused of a child sex offence just days before she was found dead at home, an inquest heard.
Kerri-Anne Donaldson, 38, reached the semi-final of the ITV show in 2014 as part of the group Kings and Queens.
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Kerri-Anne Donaldson was found dead at her home in 2023Credit: instagramShe had been arrested just days beforeCredit: instagramKerri-Anne was part of the group Kings and Queens, pictured second from the left
An inquest heard today Kerri-Anne was arrested on suspicion of “child sex offending” but no further details were revealed.
The dancer was detained on June 4, 2023, and questioned at a police station.
She was discovered dead at home in Farnborough, Hampshire, three days later by her sister Cara Donaldson.
There was a note at the top of the stairs urging Cara not to come inside alongside photos of her dog and family.
The song “You are so Beautiful” was also playing when Kerri-Anne was found, the inquest heard.
The court was told the performer’s cause of death was given as hanging.
A post mortem also found she had non-fatal levels of medication in her blood, which were consistent with an overdose.
The inquest heard evidence yesterday from Detective Constable Benjamin Harris, of Hampshire Constabulary, who led the investigation into the unknown accusation against Kerri-Anne.
He said her accuser had let police know the dancer threatened to take her own life “if someone finds out” about the allegation.
Det Con Harris said he had considered the possibility her comments could be a “form of control” against the complainant.
He said: “In my experience in some offences it can often be said without wanting to carry it out.”
The officer told the inquest the suggestion of self-harm was “something we take very seriously” and he reported it to his senior officers and advised his colleagues who arrested Kerri-Anne.
He said following the interview, he graded the dancer’s risk of self-harm as “standard”.
The officer added: “When I spoke to Kerri, which was after the interview, in the cell she presented to me at that time that she was fine, so normal.
“She had no indication that she wanted to take her own life, when that was spoken about with her she gave no indication that would happen.”
Det Con Harris said Kerri-Anne told him she had seen a counsellor previously and added: “She knew how to get help and she was in no way considering harming herself.”
But he told the court “with the benefits of hindsight” he should have included a question about the complainant’s comments when making the risk assessment.
The inquest heard yesterday how following her release from custody, Kerri-Anne failed to return home – causing her family to report her as a missing person.
She was later found at a Travelodge hotel in Woking, Surrey, after taking an overdose.
Cara said her sister told an emergency doctor at St Peter’s Hospital in Surrey that she had wanted to kill herself.
Recalling the tragic statement, she continued: “I just wanted to hug her.”
Psychiatric liaison nurse Serina Juru, who carried out a mental health assessment after the overdose, said today she assessed Kerri-Anne as at a “high and imminent risk of suicide” and rated her risk as level 10 out of 10.
She told the court the dancer said she could be sent to prison if convicted of the offence and that she “could not face that”.
The nurse added: “She wanted to end her life because she was embarrassed about what had happened.”
Ms Juru said she offered Kerri-Anne an “informal” admission to hospital for further assessment or home care support but she refused both that day leading her to start a “high-risk care plan”.
She said the performer also told her that if she was discharged into the care of her sister Cara, she would wait for her to leave to look after her children and then take her own life.
The inquest heard Kerri-Anne was discharged from hospital the following day into Cara’s care when Ms Juru was not on duty.
Psychiatrist Dr David Enright, who had assessed her, said she was “calm” and no longer thinking about suicide.
But Cara said when she drove her sister home on June 6, the dancer told her she had made the decision to take her own life.
She claimed the family had not been given any care plan or advice on how to assist the star when they left the hospital.
Cara also said she asked her sister about the allegation and was told she was not guilty and that it had “all been constructed”.
She said she spent the evening with her sister and was reluctant to leave her alone, saying: “If you do anything, Kerri, that will always be on my shoulders.”
Cara continued: “[Kerri-Anne] joked ‘I am not going to do that’, so I left.
“One of the last messages was ‘Thanks for everything today’ and she gave a heart emoji, I just thought she was OK.”
But when Kerri-Anne did not answer the phone the next morning, Cara went round to her home and discovered her dead.
Describing her sister, she said: “Heart of gold, full of fun, brought happiness to life, especially mine, career-driven, adored her family, adored her friends, fantastic dance teacher, everyone loved her.”
She said Kerri-Anne had been on television a few times and added: “Her main passion was to choreograph dancing.”
The Kings and Queens Latin dance troupe were a big hit with BGT fans, making it all the way to the semi-final of the ITV show.
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
Following her death, Neil said: “Kerri Anne Donaldson – remember that name and please never forget it because it belongs to a woman who loved to dance, create and perform, she had the cheekiest laugh and a heart of gold.
“She hated getting in the car with me, but would always listen to my crazy ideas, we shared so many moments and stories and she was always the voice of reason.
“Kerri you were my friend and like my big sister.”
Ex-Strictly dancer Joanne Clifton also paid her respects to the “beautiful dancer”.
She said: “I have no words… This is just heartbreaking.. truly devastating.
“We’ve known you and shared the dance floor with you basically all our lives.
“Dance up there with the angels Kerri.. you beautiful dancer, you beautiful soul.”
Amy Dowden echoed those sentiments, writing: “So shocked and sad. Such a beautiful dancer and kind soul.
“Sending love to all your family and friends. Heaven has certainly gained an angel. Keep dancing up there lovely.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Kerri-Anne’s dance troupe reached the semi-final of BGTCredit: instagramShe had been discharged from hospital days before her deathCredit: instagram
Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell both returned to the judging panel of Britain’s Got Talent, alongside Amanda Holden and YouTuber KSI, while Ant and Dec returned as the show’s hosts
BGT’s Alesha Dixon shares horror injury after fighting against Simon Cowell(Image: WireImage)
Britain’s Got Talent is back, and the nation is ready to watch along as the search for the next big thing gets underway. But for Alesha Dixon, filming the show resulted in a horror injury.
Speaking to the press at a launch event for the show, which kicks off its 19th series on Saturday, 21 February, Alesha revealed how a fight against Simon Cowell left her physically hurt. “I injured myself trying to stop Simon pressing the Golden Buzzer,” she said.
During the audition phase of the series, the judges – Alesha, Simon, Amanda Holden and KSI – can press the Golden Buzzer to send an act straight through to the live semi-finals. Simon shared that he and the other judges were “fighting over the Golden Buzzer a lot” this year.
In one case, this meant Alesha hurt herself. “There was an act where we were quite competitive for the Golden Buzzer. And I could sense Simon getting up, so I literally dived across the desk.
“I’ve never done that before, I dived onto the desk. And then they wanted me to recreate this dive. So how can I recreate this? Because I injured myself just to stop him getting his way.”
Alesha has been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent since 2012. Two of her fellow judges, Amanda and Simon, have been on the show since it began in 2007, but YouTuber KSI is a newcomer. Having made a few guest judging appearances last year, he took over for Bruno Tonioli this year.
Speaking on the series as a whole, Alesha said: “It was so funny. For me, overall, this season felt like we were back to the chaos that we love on our show. More than ever, it just felt bonkers.”
This comes just weeks after the Mirror reported that Alesha’s band Mis-Teeq were in talks to reunite for their 25th anniversary and were eying up a potential Britain’s Got Talent performance.
A reunion had previously seemed unlikely, as Sabrina Washington had launched legal proceedings against Alesha and their prior label, Universal, for royalties six years ago, but she and the BGT judge now seem to be on talking terms again.
Sabrina had claimed that Alesha had “wrongfully claimed” credits for writing their first two singles. At the time, a spokesperson for Ms Dixon said: “Alesha wrote the raps on both Why? and All I Want and that is why she gets a split. The rest of the song was written by a production team. Sabrina has no reason to sue Alesha.”
This now appears to be water under the bridge for the stars, though. Speaking to the Mirror, a source said: “There’s always talk of a reunion and projects on the table, but it’s a matter of trying to get everyone together. Alesha and Su both have children; Su’s in Australia permanently, and Sabrina has been doing a lot of solo gigs across the UK and Europe.
“Sabrina and Su participated in the Girlbands documentary, albeit separately, but it raised more questions than answers, with Sabrina being visibly upset when asked about how the group split, following their UK label’s collapse. Su mentioned there was a potential new record deal for the group at the time, which then became an Alesha solo deal. Nobody’s sure if Sabrina was aware of that, or if the first time she found out was watching the documentary. “
Our source added: “They will want to do something that’s meaningful, but they haven’t been in a room as a trio, together, since their split in 2005. They’ve seen each other individually and speak to each other, but some are most closer than others. They haven’t physically been together yet, and it seems there’s a lot to discuss before they’re in a place to do a reunion.”
A source also told The Sun : “One thing that has come up is the idea of a one-off show. It could be an intimate gig for their die-hard fans or a performance on a big TV programme such as Britain’s Got Talent.”
