Britain’s Got Talent viewers have called for YouTube star KSI to become a permanent judge following his successful debut on Saturday night’s launch show.
The multidisciplined 31-year-old internet sensation joined Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon on the judging panel for the Blackpool auditions.
KSI whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams “JJ” Olatunji, stepped in to cover for Bruno Tonioli, who was unable to attend due to filming commitments with Dancing with the Stars in the US.
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KSI promised to bring “cut-throat and straightforward” critique and refused to “sugarcoat” what he said to anyone.
“I want emotion. I want you to really love or really hate me,” he explained to Radio Times.
KSI was successful in his ambition as fans flooded social media with enthusiasm for the 31-year-old and called for him to become a permanent addition to the show.
“KSI was made for BGT!” enthused one fan on X.
Another declared “How hilarious is KSI lmfao can we keep him as a full-time judge!?”
“Watching #bgt for the first time in years just for @KSI I hope they make him a permanent judge,” a third viewer commented.
However, the meteoric rise of the internet personality in the Britain’s Got Talent world came at the expense of returning judge and former Strictly Come Dancing stalwart Bruno Tonioli.
Viewers called on KSI to replace the Tonioli full-time, with some blasting the British-Italian judge as “annoying”.
“KSI is a good addition I reckon. Current and knows his stuff of all the ‘modern’ world etc. Plus, he’s 1,000 times less annoying than Bruno already….. #BritainsGotTalent #bgt,” one slammed.
“Can we get rid of Bruno and just have KSI #BGT #BritainsGotTalent,” another asked.
A third agreed, adding: “Can we vote whether we want KSI or Bruno? My vote goes to KSI. ##BGT #BritainsGotTalent.”
“#KSI so much better than Bruno #BritainsGotTalent,” a fourth declared simply.
A particularly irate fifth viewer savaged: “Definitely (keep) KSI….. Bruno is just so full of himself Also full of s**t!”
