Two Britain’s Got Talent judges were given ‘a big talking to’ by producers of the ITV show after a prank plot was discovered behind-the-scenes of the series.
Amanda Holden revealed that the judged found themselves in trouble when it was discovered that Simon Cowell had visited a local joke shop during filming – and had planned to let off a very stinky surprise.
The head judge and BGT creator discovered the shop nearby Blackpool’s the Winter Gardens in breaks between filming, and decided to let out his ‘naughty side’.
Amanda, 55, revealed that Simon, 66, had gone in and bought some stink bombs, that were soon discovered by production staff who told them off for the planned prank.
She told Metro: ‘Word got round that the stink bombs had been bought and the producers gave us a big talking to. We weren’t allowed them…’
Fellow judge Alesha Dixon, who has appeared on the series since 2012, admitted that the series was packed with ‘bonkers’ antics from the panel.
Two Britain’s Got Talent judges were given ‘a big talking to’ by producers of the ITV show after a prank plot was discovered behind-the-scenes of the series
Amanda Holden revealed that the judged found themselves in trouble when it was discovered that Simon Cowell had visited a local joke shop during filming
She added that the judges were left ‘fighting’ over the golden buzzers, so much so that when she dived across the table to beat Simon to it, she was told by production to ‘recreate’ the ‘bonkers’ moment for viewers to see on screen.
Alesha added: ‘I could sense Simon getting up, and I literally dived. I’ve never dived before. I dived onto the desk and then they wanted me to recreate this dive… I injured myself just to stop him getting his way, but it was so funny.
‘This season felt like we were back to the chaos that we love on our show. More than ever it just felt really bonkers.’
Fellow judge KSI, the latest addition to the panel, recently backed up the claims, admitting that he caused ‘havoc’ on set during one Golden Buzzer act.
KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, admitted: ‘A golden buzzer act literally left the other judges speechless and we don’t often see them stuck for words.
‘But I’ve caused havoc because although the other judges were disgusted, I thought it was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.’
He explained that he had been happy to play the ‘bad guy’ on set, dishing out brutally honest verdicts to those displaying their talents on stage.
‘I’m quite a loud, expressive person and I’m happy to get on stage and jump around. I’m there to really get involved whether it’s judging or getting involved with the acts,’ he added.
Fellow judge KSI, the latest addition to the panel, recently backed up the claims, admitting that he caused ‘havoc’ on set during one Golden Buzzer act
KSI will join the judging panel as a full-time member of the show after Bruno Tonioli left
‘I don’t mind being the bad guy. I’m going to tell it how it is. If I see something boring I’ll tell them it’s boring. Maybe I need to work on my vocabulary, but that’s just how I am.’
KSI also admitted that both on and off camera, the panel have built up a brilliant chemistry – with the YouTube star learning to pick up on when Simon is ‘in a wind up mood’.
‘Considering we haven’t known each other properly for very long, and we’re all quite different personalities, we’ve all become close in a short space of time,’ he said.
‘I’ve even learnt the look Simon has when he’s in a wind-up mood. Then I know Amanda is going to be in for a day of it because I see the glint in his eye, and I know he’s going to keep us on our toes.
‘I’ve also started to spot the signs of when they’re going to push their golden buzzers. They each have this poker face they pull, but I can spot them and know the hand they’re going to play.’
It comes after Britain’s Got Talent‘s return date was finally announced by ITV – and it’s good news for reality TV fans, as it is just days away.
The popular talent show, which has been making audiences gasp and cringe since 2007, will hit our screens again on Saturday, 21 February.
To put its popularity into context, despite the show being around for almost 20 years, it still has average viewership numbers of between five and seven million.
The 2026 judging panel will once again feature Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dickson, as well as newcomer KSI.
The 2026 judging panel will once again feature Simon Cowell , Amanda Holden and Alesha Dickson, as well as newcomer KSI – with Ant and Dec returning as hosts
As well as a spot at the Royal Variety Show, the winner will also win a whopping £250,000 cash prize
Needless to say, veteran presenters Ant and Dec will be back to lend their unique brand of comedy to the show – and keep hopefuls both calm and entertained backstage as they make their bids to impress the judges.
The show’s main prize is a chance to perform at the Royal Variety Show – alongside £250,000 in cash winnings.
The show’s return will also look slightly different this year after Bruno Tonioli stepped down from the judging panel at the end of 2025.
He has been replaced by musician and internet celebrity KSI, 32, who has previously been a guest judge on the show.
An insider said that it was a ‘tough’ decision for Bruno to leave the show because he has been friends with Simon for decades.
The insider told The Sun: ‘It was really tough knowing he had to let Bruno go because they couldn’t get the filming dates to work out with his commitments on Dancing with the Stars.
‘Simon is always looking for new ways to keep the show evolving and loves to get the opinion of his young son.
‘Eric was a big influence for Simon in choosing Bruno’s replacement. He’s obsessed with him and adores him, KSI is Eric’s favourite influencer.
‘Plus, he’s been such a hit as a guest judge and Simon recognises they need to keep the show different by moving forward to keep attracting the younger audience.’
The insider went on to admit that while Bruno appealed to ‘the grannies’, KSI should keep ‘youngsters’ tuning into the long-running talent show.
They also cited the musician’s ‘huge social media presence’, which they said is part of Simon’s plan to keep ‘modernising’ Britain’s Got Talent.
Britain’s Got Talent returns Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX
