YouTuber ‘to stand in for Bruno Tonioli on Britain’s Got Talent’ in huge shake-up-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

Britain’s Got Talent is set to have a ‘stand-in’ for judge Bruno Tonioli (Picture: ITV)

Britain’s Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli is ‘set to be temporarily replaced’ by a YouTube star.

The former Strictly Come Dancing judge joined the ITV talent show last year, with the most recent season of the long-running series won by singer Sydnie Christmas last week.

However soon after it was reported Bruno, 68, was set to be replaced by comedian Alan Carr.

A few days later Simon Cowell shut down talk that the judge was being booted but did reveal he might need a ‘stand-in’ next season.

It’s now been reported that YouTube star KSI is set to join the panel alongside Simon, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon when Bruno can’t attend the next season’s audition’s due to ‘scheduling conflicts’.

The show’s auditions will be held earlier than usual for the next season while Bruno is in America so BGT bosses are said to have turned to KSI.

The former Strictly judge joined Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell on the panel last year (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

Olajide Olayinka Williams ‘JJ’ Olatunji, known professionally as KSI, is an English social media influencer, professional boxer, and musician.

The 30-year-old is a co-founding member of YouTube group the Sidemen, the CEO of Misfits Boxing, and the co-owner of Prime Hydration, XIX Vodka, Sidemen Clothing, restaurant chain Sides and cereal brand Best Breakfasts.

After starting his YouTube channel in 2009, he built a following posting gaming commentary videos of the FIFA video game series and later started sharing vlog and comedy-style videos.

He has also appeared on Top Gear, Celebrity Gogglebox and The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off.

Across his three YouTube channels KSI now has over 41 million subscribers, with BGT bosses keen to capitalise on his popularity and attract a younger audience to the ITV show.

YouTube star KSI is tipped to replace him temporarily (Picture: Brian J Ritchie/Hotsauce/Shutter)

‘Simon Cowell knows KSI is a huge hit with the younger generation,’ a source has told The Sun.

‘He would be a great addition to pull in teenage fans, which is something the producers are keen to do.

‘KSI is chatting to bosses in the hope of agreeing a deal that would also work with his hectic schedule.’

Recent seasons of BGT have run from April to June however the next will screen later this year, filling a slot left by the end of Saturday Night Takeaway.

During an interview with Amanda and her co-host Jamie Theakston on Heart Breakfast last week, Simon was quizzed about the news of Bruno’s apparent exit.

It’s because Bruno won’t be able to attend all of the auditions for the next season (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Shutterstock)

Quickly shutting down claims the judge was leaving the show, he referenced the ‘scheduling issue’ before explaining a stand-in may be required.

‘I don’t know. But I love Bruno on the show. I think he’s brilliant,’ he added, as Amanda chimed in to say: ‘He brings such an amazing energy, and he knows so much….’

Simon stressed that Bruno ‘knows so much about what he’s talking about’, while Amanda mentioned how long their colleague had been in the industry.

‘He’s a brilliant, brilliant judge and the nicest person. So no, I would not replace him!’ Simon concluded.

Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV and representatives for Bruno Tonioli and KSI for comment

Britain’s Got Talent is expected to return to ITV later this year.

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