Britain’s Got Talent fans ask ‘why’ as ITV confirms 2025 shake-up

Britain’s Got Talent fans have been left divided over ITV’s decision to overhaul the format for the 2025 series.

The talent show competition will air for up to four months next year as the start date has been brought forward to February instead of April.

Throughout its extended run, it will air every Saturday night with the five semi-finals broadcasting weekly instead of on consecutive evenings.

To accommodate the extra episodes, additional locations for auditions, starting in October in Blackpool, have also been added, according to Super TV.

However, viewers have been left baffled over the new extended Britain’s Got Talent, with many saying the change is unnecessary, while others were looking forward to more of the programme on their screens.

Among those voicing their discontent on X was @jamestroe who branded the move ‘very evil live laugh love energy.’

Echoing their sentiment, @moonies_XP: commented: ‘…why tho?’

@PeaksLfc also said: ‘That’s way overkill.’

But some viewers were applauding the decision, with @LauraM01234 exclaiming: ‘So glad to hear that it will be on for longer! Also, I prefer the semi finals being weekly #BGT.’

@jakesrealityera enthused: ‘Amazing now I might actually watch it.’

@TGherewego penned: ‘Should have been The Masked Singer but this works.’

It was previously reported Britain’s Got Talent would film a ‘big chunk’ of the auditions in an attempt to ‘replicate’ and challenge the success of Strictly’s Blackpool Week.

Blackpool Week, which sees the stars perform routines at the Tower Ballroom, is a highlight for fans of the BBC show and considered a ‘milestone’ for contestants.

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Strictly’s annual jaunt to Blackpool is one of the show’s “special moments” and is widely seen as a milestone for the contestants.

‘But now that trip will be replicated by its ITV rival, there’s little doubt they’re trying to encroach on their territory.

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‘It’s yet another move to take on the dominance of Strictly on Saturday night telly.’

According to Super TV, the judging line-up of Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Bruno Tonioli are returning – despite claims one star was facing the chop.

It was previously reported that bosses were considering replacing Bruno Tonioli, who was reportedly described as ‘one tone and hysterical’ by one executive, against Simon’s wishes.

The music mogul later confirmed there may be a ‘stand-in judge’ as BGT’s filming dates clash with Bruno’s commitments to Dancing with the Stars in America.

However, it has also been alleged the BGT top dogs are considering taking advantage of his ‘scheduling conflicts’ to oust Bruno, who replaced David Walliams, from the show.

‘Nobody else has been agreed upon or approached as a replacement, currently, the question is just — do we keep Bruno at all?’

The source added to The Sun that there is much discussion currently taking place. ‘It’s nothing sinister, but maybe a change would be better,’ it added.

Last year, Norwegian comedian and clown Viggo Venn won Britain’s Got Talent.

Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV and ITVX next February.

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