BRITAIN’S Got Talent is back Saturday, February 22, 2025 launching a four-month showdown to find the next big star – and hand them a life-changing cash prize.
But what exactly does the winner take home? From a hefty cash prize to the once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform at the Royal Variety Show, here’s everything you need to know about what’s at stake in this year’s competition.
Sydnie Christmas is the reigning BGT champ[/caption]
What prize does the winner of Britain’s Got Talent get?
Over the years Britain’s Got Talent has crowned 17 winners.
This year, the BGT champ gets to take home a whopping cash prize of £250,000.
The winner is also offered the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
Prior to these generous prizes, the first five winners of Britain’s Got Talent were given £100k, but Ashleigh Butler and Pudsey the dog benefitted from the most generous year scooping £500,000 in 2012.
What’s new for BGT in 2025?
For the first time ever, the 2025 series will launch in February instead of April, with weekly episodes airing across four months.
This will make it the longest-running season in the show’s history.
Fans can expect to see all their favourite judges return to the panel, including Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli.
However, The Sun revealed last year that singer and media sensation KSI will be stepping in as a guest judge during the first round of auditions.
The social media star will step in for Bruno for three days while he jets off to the USA to film Dancing With The Stars.
A TV insider said that ITV hopes his “colossal fan base” will draw a younger audience.
Speaking about his new role, KSI said “I’m buzzing to see all the fresh new talent, and I’ll be sure to leave a mark.”
Who are the past BGT winners?
Paul Potts – 2007
Paul Potts won the first series of BGT[/caption]
Phone salesman-turned-singer Paul Potts won the first series of Britain’s Got Talent.
After releasing several albums, he was then the subject of a biopic called One Chance starring James Corden as Paul.
BGT is not about talent that hasn’t been seen elsewhere – it’s simply about talent.
Paul Potts
Paul has gone on to release six studio albums and is constantly touring.
Speaking about BGT, Paul told The Sun in June 2024: “Britain’s Got Talent is not about untrained or amateur talent.
“It’s not about talent that hasn’t been seen elsewhere – it’s simply about talent.”
George Sampson – 2008
The dancer went on to find success as an actor[/caption]
George Sampson won the hearts of the nation as a street dancer.
After winning BGT he turned to acting and has appeared in Waterloo Road and Emmerdale.
George has also starred in shows in the West End, including the smash hit production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
The dancer previously revealed how he’d had a £9,000 hair transplant procedure to get rid of a bald patch on his head.
The patch was caused by all the spinning he does on his head during break-dancing routines.
Diversity – 2009
Diversity beat Susan Boyle[/caption]
Dance group Diversity won the third series of the show, beating singer Susan Boyle.
They’re arguably one of the most remembered and successful of past BGT winners.
They have continued to perform and have spin-off careers in reality and competition shows.
Ashley Banjo has remained in the spotlight, becoming a judge on Dancing On Ice.
Ashley’s younger brother Jordan Banjo, has also made a name for himself on TV – he’s now a regular on the Loose Men panel, and even had a stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle.
Meanwhile, Perri Kiely has appeared on multiple TV shows such as Celebs Go Dating, Dancing On Ice, and Splash!
Perri and Jordan currently host the Kiss Breakfast radioshow.
Spelbound – 2010
Spelbound performed at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony[/caption]
The gymnastics troupe wowed Simon Cowell and the nation, beating Twist and Pulse to the title.
Their unbelievable final acrobatic performance secured them a slot at the 2010 Royal Variety Performance.
Spelbound went on to perform at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony.
Since then, the troupe has disbanded.
Jai McDowell – 2011
Singer Jai McDowell was the winner of the 2011 series.
Despite being signed to Simon Cowell‘s record label, his success didn’t last long after his debut album didn’t perform well.
He was dropped, so he went on to support other artists on tour including Gareth Gates.
Ashleigh and Pudsey – 2012
Ashleigh and Pudsey brought a feel-good factor to the talent show[/caption]
In 2012 , Ashleigh won the hearts of the nation with her dog Pudsey.
After their big win the pair enjoyed a glittering showbiz career together both on the screen and on stage.
They even starred in their own film called Pudsey The Dog: The Movie.
Sadly, the adorable pooch passed away in 2017 after battling “acute leukemia”.
We are absolutely devastated and in shock with how quick this has all happened, and our hearts are broken.
Ashley on Pudsey passing
Revealing the devastating news at the time, Ashleigh posted: “We, as a family, had to make the hardest decision yesterday to let Pudsey go to sleep.
“We are absolutely devastated and in shock with how quick this has all happened, and our hearts are broken.
“We would have done anything to keep him with us, even for a little longer, but he didn’t have any more time as acute leukemia made us take the heart breaking decision to end his pain.”
Ashleigh now performs with her new dog, Sully.
Attraction – 2013
The Hungarian shadow theatre group wowed the audience[/caption]
Another memorable winner was Attraction.
The Hungarian shadow theatre group put on emotive performances throughout their time on BGT.
However, there was some controversy over a foreign act winning the show.
Afterwards they performed in Las Vegas and were used in adverts.
Collabro – 2014
Collabro have had huge succes since winning BGT[/caption]
Collabro are a classical music group, who now have three studio albums.
However, Richard Hadfield decided to quit in 2016, sparking claims of a feud.
Richard confirmed these rumours and said “I wish them the best. It’s a shame it had to end this way but life’s got a funny way of pointing you in the right direction.”
Collabro continued without Richard, and went on to support Cliff Richard on his Just Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Tour of the UK in 2017.
The boys returned to our screens in 2019 for Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, where they reached the semi-final.
Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse – 2015
Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse faced controversy[/caption]
Another winning dog act was Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse.
However, the act hit controversy after their big win.
This was because a second dog was actually involved in the act as Matisse couldn’t do the heights required for their winning performance.
Ofcom went on rule that this “mislead the audience”.
Richard Jones – 2016
Richard Jones was the first magician to win BGT[/caption]
A magician finally won the show in 2016 after many came close in previous years.
Former army officer Richard Jones scooped the crown, after swapping being in the service to pursuing his love of magic.
His career change paid off as he was able to go on tour after BGT.
Richard even had a one-off TV show called Operation Magic.
Speaking to The Sun about how his life has changed after winning BGT, he said: “I’m a lot more confident.
“Being in the Royal Variety Performance in front of Charles and Camilla was really scary, but it made me trust in my abilities more.
“I also get to travel a lot, which is incredible.”
Tokio Myers – 2017
Tokio Myers wowed on the piano[/caption]
Tokio Myers wowed the audience and the judges with his incredible piano skills.
Since winning BGT he has worked on his own album plus performed on a charity record in aid of Grenfell Tower survivors.
Tokio has also been very honest about his traumatic past.
He revealed that he saw his headteacher get stabbed which made him want to focus solely on building a career in music.
Lost Voice Guy – 2018
Lost Voice Guy was a smash hit on BGT[/caption]
Lost Voice Guy was the first comedic act to win the show and went on to gain an army of fans around the world.
The star lost his voice in childhood due to cerebral palsy.
However, this hasn’t stopped him and after winning BGT he also performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and released his own book.
Colin Thackery – 2019
Colin Thackery won BGT 2019[/caption]
Another person who won over the hearts the nation was Colin Thackery.
The pensioner and war hero was crowned BGT’s 2019 champ when he sang the wartime classic We’ll Meet Again.
He went on to give his prize money away to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, which is where his family lives.
On winning BGT Colin said: “I’m absolutely astonished. The backing I’ve had has been fantastic.”On performing for the late Queen, he added: “That’s the job. That’s what I wanted.”
Jon Courtenay – 2020
Jon Courtenay won Britain’s got Talent 2020[/caption]
Despite multiple interruptions from the pandemic, the 2020 series of Britain’s Got Talent went on—and comedic pianist Jon Courtenay took the crown.
He received the Golden Buzzer from hosts Ant and Dec in his first audition.
Jon‘s final performance moved the judges to tears with a tribute to his late father, and he won the nation’s heart with his comical song about 2020.
Axel Blake – 2022
Comedian Axel Blake had the audience in stitches[/caption]
Comedian Axel Blake beat singer Tom Ball and ventriloquist Jamie Leto to be crowned winner.
Axel, who was also Simon’s Golden Buzzer choice, couldn’t believe he’d scooped the £250K prize.
He won the show after delivering a stream of jokes during his incredible final performance which left the judges and the audience at home in tears of laughter
Viggo Venn – 2023
In 2023, it was comedian Viggo Venn who scooped the BGT crown.
The eccentric Norwegian became a judge favourite from the start thanks in part to his high-energy act and high-vis yellow jackets.
He was crowned Britain’s Got Talent 2023 winner ahead of Lilliana Clifton who came in second place, and Cillian O’ Connor placing third.
Viggo’s final performance saw him get judge Simon to wear a hi-vis jacket and he declared he had won over the head judge’s heart.
Sydnie Christmas – 2024
Last year, Sydnie Christmas wowed the audience with her voice, prompting Amanda Holden to hit the Golden Buzzer.
The then-28-year-old sailed through to the semi-finals and won the viewers’ vote.
She triumphed over Cumbrian magician, Jack Rhodes, who Simon described as “the favourite to win the entire competition” earlier in the series.
However, the outcome resulted in fix claims from furious viewers when Ant and Dec revealed she won with only 27% of the vote.
Following the final, Sydnie returned to her normal job at a gym for three months, before being officially fired from her job.
She has since performed at the Hollywood Bowl for music legend David Foster’s 75th birthday bash and released her debut album My Way in October 2024.
Sydnie is now touring across the UK.
Britain’s Got Talent Judges
The ITV talent show wouldn’t be the same without the four charismatic judges who put the contestants through their paces.
Simon Cowell is the staple of Britain’s Got Talent and resumes his role as head judge. The mogul is one of the most iconic figures in music and is responsible for offsetting the careers of many performers around the world.
Amanda Holden has been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent since it first started in 2007. The sexy star is a firm fixture on the judging panel, which has helped her to become a household name.
Alesha Dixon is back to judge the new series of Britain’s Got Talent. The TV star joined the panel back in 2012 and quickly became a fan favourite.
Bruno Tonioli makes up the fab four. After leaving Strictly, he decided to move over to ITV and is the newest BGT judge after replacing David Walliams.
