BGT introduce Golden Buzzers for live Semi-Final shows
The Semi-Finals kick off next weekend!
Last updated 16th Apr 2025
Now the audition stage of this year's Britain's Got Talent is almost over, excitement is rife for the live Semi-Finals to begin, with a format change for 2025 seeing the shows air on Saturday nights, rather than consecutive nights over a week-run.
In another change to the format, bosses have now introduced Golden Buzzers into the live shows, giving all four judges and hosts Ant and Dec the chance to put one Semi-Final act straight through to the final.
Bosses announced the news on social media, writing: 'PSA!! For the first time EVER, we’re bringing the Golden Buzzer to the #BGT Live Shows!✨
'Each night, one of the Judges or Ant & Dec, will take control of the Golden Buzzer, putting one act straight through to the Final 🤩 So, are you ready for it? The BGT Live Semi-Finals commence weekly from Saturday 26th April on @ITV 1, ITVX & @WeAreSTV'. (sic)
During each Semi-Final, which will be filmed live every Saturday night at the Eventim Apollo in London, judges Simon Cowell, Bruno Toniolo, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden, and hosts Ant and Dec, will be given a few moments to decide if they'd like to use their Golden Buzzer, meaning the act won't have to be included in the public vote.
Each Semi-Final will see one Golden Buzzer be used, before a public vote decides the fate of the other finalists.
The new addition has been met with mixed reviews from fans of the show, whilst others think it's a great idea, others aren't keen on the new format.
One wrote: 'This will be interesting 🙌😍', with another adding: 'Love this, can’t wait to watch this action ❤️❤️❤️❤️ love BGT so much 🙌🙌🙌😍😍'. A third the commented: 'Yes. This is a great idea. Can't wait to watch. Love Britain's got talent'.
However, another fan wrote 'WHAT?!!!!!!!!!!!!', with another asking: 'How is this going to work? If the judges or Ant and Dec's golden buzzer are performing on the night, surely they are going to send their own act through...🤔🤔'. (sic)
Check out all of the past winners of BGT below:
Paul Potts
Paul Potts won the very first show in 2007 with his hugely impressive singing abilities.
George Sampson
Break dancer George Sampson won the show in 2008 at the age of just 14-years-old.
Diversity
Dance group Diversity won the show in 2009, with Ashley Banjo going on to become a TV presenter.
Spellbound
The 2010 series also saw a dance group win in the form of Spellbound, pictured here performing with singer Katherine Jenkins that year.
Jai McDowall
Singer Jai McDowall won the show in 2011.
Ashleigh and Pudsey
Dog performing act Ashleigh and Pudsey were winners of the 2012 series. However, Pudsey sadly passed away in July 2017.
Attraction
Another dance group won over the public in 2013, as Attraction used shadows and puppets to create beautiful spectacles - pictured here with actor Terry Crews.
Collabro
Singing group Collabro wowed viewers in 2014 with their performances of musical theatre songs.
Jules and Matisse
Britain's Got Talent saw its second dog act winner in 2015 with Jules and Matisse.
Richard Jones
Magician Richard Jones won the hearts of the nation in 2016.
Tokio Myers
Pianist and music producer Tokio Myers won the show in 2017, pictured here with BGT judge Amanda Holden.
Lost Voice Guy
Lost Voice Guy, real name Lee Ridley, won in 2018.
Colin Thackery
Colin Thackery won Britain's Got Talent 2019 with a heartwarming performance of 'Love Changes Everything'.
Jon Courtenay
Comedy singer Jon Courtenay was crowned the winner of the 2020 series! Jon was a favourite from his very first audition, picking up Ant and Dec's Golden Buzzer!
Axel Blake
Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer act, comedian Axel Blake, was crowned the 2022 winner of Britain's Got Talent, beating the likes of ventriloquist Jamie Leahy and singer Tom Ball.
Viggo Venn
Norwegian comedian Viggo Venn won the 2023 series of Britain's Got Talent with his high vis jacket inspired routine. He said he was happy to have captured 'Simon's heart' as well as the nation's.
Sydnie Christmas
Sydnie Christmas won the 2024 series of Britain's Got Talent, the singer who dreams of performing on the West End told Ant and Dec: "I cannot believe the amount of love that I've felt since it aired. I am overwhelmed with love and it is the most amazing thing.
"And I wish for one day that every single person in this room feels the way I do one day with this love. It's amazing, thank you so much!"
Eight acts will perform in each Semi-Final, with the live Final scheduled to take place on Saturday 31st May, making series 18 the longest in the show's entire history.
Britain's Got Talent airs on ITV1/ITVX and STV1/STV Player every Saturday night.
Now read:
Your ultimate guide to Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent: All of the winners so far
15 things you probably didn't know about Ant and Dec