Boxer and musician KSI is being handed a golden buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent – even through he is only set to appear in one episode as a guest judge.

The 30-year-old social media star – whose new single, Thick of It ft Trippie Low, is out now – is set to fill in for Bruno Tonioli in the forthcoming 18th season of ITV’s long-running talent show. The upcoming season is filming at a different time to usual as ITV is expected to fill the gaping Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway shaped hole in their February-April schedule with the variety show instead.

As a result, audition rounds for the series are filming at an earlier time – and will clash with dates that Bruno, 68, is in the USA filming on Dancing With The Stars. Despite only filling in for a couple of days, KSI will be granted the right to bash the golden buzzer – which sends audition hopefuls straight through to the live finals.

It is suggested KSI may then return for the live episodes to check in on his contestants – and that ITV are desperate to tap into his huge social media following which includes more than 80 million fans. Bruno will get to bash the golden buzzer himself when he is present for auditions – while regular judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and hosts Ant and Dec will be able to press it once each too.

A source told The Sun: “Bosses were keen for KSI to appear much like a full-time judge would, given he’s due to stand in for a number of days. It means there will be one more Golden Buzzer act this year, with the remaining judges and hosts Ant and Dec also given an opportunity to press it. It will no doubt make the finals more exciting, to see which judge is best at picking a winner.”

The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment. Meanwhile, applications for Britain’s Got Talent 2025 have been open since May this year. Fans have been encouraged to submit applications in person, by video, by WhatsApp, or by nominating someone you know via the official application website.

Earlier this year, Simon shared his joy over the fact the show continues to be renewed by ITV. He told the Daily Mail: “I always thought, if we could get three or four years out of this it would be amazing and then you reach 10 years and go that’s a milestone…

“People come from all over the world to compete and it’s not just winning the show it’s having that viral moment that can literally change your life overnight… that’s why people are going to come back year after year after year and hopefully keep competing and get better… I think it’s going to be here for a long, long time.”