Britain's Got Talent's Ant and Dec halt show as they announce surprise semi-final twist

There was an unexpected twist in store for the last live semi-final

Britain's Got Talent viewers were in for a surprise during tonight's fifth semi-final (May 24) as hosts Ant and Dec unveiled an unexpected twist to the show.

Just minutes into the programme, the Geordie duo paused proceedings to announce a change for the last live semi-final of the series regarding the Golden Buzzer and how it would work.

Ant and Dec still had the power to use their Golden Buzzer, which would send an act straight through to the final. However, as YouTube star KSI was brought back as a judge for tonight's show, the hosts revealed that there would be a change in proceedings.

"We've got news for you, we've got news," Dec began, hushing the audience. "Strictly speaking it should be Ant and I to press it [the buzzer] tonight but we'd had a chat and we'd like to give it you KSI."

KSI was left open-mouthed by the revelation which means the YouTuber will have had the power to fast-track two acts to the final in total. He had previously given his Golden Buzzer to Stacey Leadbeatter at the audition stage.

Tonight's show featured five judges rather than the usual four, with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, Bruno Tonioli and KSI all in the hot seat juding eight acts battling for one of two spots in the live final.

Viewers were delighted at KSI's return, with many flooding social media to share their thoughts on the night's show.

"Great to see KSI back," penned one fan, as another shared: "KSI's back alright, he boutta have 2 golden buzzer acts in the final."

The Golden Buzzer mechanism has proven controversial this series with many venting about the disruption from the audience chanting for an act to receive it.

One ITV viewer urged show bosses to ditch it altogether for the next series, pleading: "Pleaase get rid of the semi final golden buzzer next year so we don't have to listen to that incessant press the gold chant from the audience."

"The amount of golden buzzers in this years #BGT is farcical," vented another. "Why don’t we go one further next year and let them press golden buzzer for the outright winner."

"Can we just get rid of it now. I’m so bored and tired of #BGT," said another critic.

Audiences will be able to watch the live final of Britain's Got Talent on ITV1 or ITV X from 7pm until 9.45pm on Saturday May 31. We will finally find out the winner of BGT 2025, and who will be the victorious act pocketing £250,000 and landing a spot on the Royal Variety Performance bill.

Britain's Got Talent airs Saturdays at 7pm on ITV and ITVX