Britain's Got Talent: Leicester school pupils win golden buzzer

Magician Harry Moulding wowed the judges and audience to win the 18th series of Britain's Got Talent (BGT) last year, in what was the longest-running series of the show's history.

Six episodes in, BGT series 19 is already heating up and KSI is making his mark as a permanent judge after officially replacing Bruno Tonioli. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest series.

Episode Six: Leicester town's school pupils wow judges

Braunstone Community Primary School’s 100 pupils earned the golden buzzer after an electrifying, joyful dance medley that transformed a hymn into a high‑energy routine, showcasing confidence, spirit and school community.

Guest judge Stacey Solomon was the one who hit the golden buzzer, saying she “selfishly” enjoyed it as much as the children and calling it the “best feeling in the world” to send them straight to the semi‑finals, which clearly marked her as the most impressed judge.

Echoing the sentiments, viewers took to the comments to react to the win, with one user saying: 'THE BEST ACT OF THE NIGHT EVER THEY TOTALLY 💯 PERCENT DESERVED THAT GOLDEN BUZZER 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️', with another saying: 'The way that headmaster loves his kids is so nice to see ❤️👏 totally deserved x'. (sic)

A fourth chimed: 'Wow!! AMAZING! So much positivity and so many smiles! Every school needs a Friday 2pm rave with a Mr T! So good for wellbeing, well deserved golden buzzer XX', and a fourth added: 'Wow, just fab and well done @staceysolomon for pressing the golden buzzer so well deserved xx'. (sic)

Episode Five: Matty J’s Purple Rain gets golden buzzer

Filipino singer Matty Juniosa received the golden buzzer from Simon after a powerful rendition of Prince’s 'Purple Rain' on Britain’s Got Talent 2026. The part-time waiter said his dream was to sing on stage, and his audition moved both the judges and audience.

The crowd chanted for the golden buzzer saying: "Press the gold, press the gold", prompting Simon to press it and sending Matty straight through to the live shows. Commenting on the response from the audience, Simon told Matty: "This, I think, is the biggest reaction we've had from anyone," as the crowd continued to erupt in applause.

Speaking after the win, Matty himself said: "This is going to sound sappy, but I genuinely felt like I was being brought up to the heavens. It was so ethereal."

He added: "I opened my arms just to take it all in, because I couldn't. And I can't believe it's real."

Reacting on social media, viewers echoed the audiences' reaction with one writing: 'Oh, Matty. I am crying with you. 😭 YES. THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW YOU. YOU’VE BEEN OUT OF THIS WORLD FOR THE LONGEST TIME!!!! 😭😭😭 Congratulations, Matty!!! This is it!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️', while another said: 'MATTY J! YOU ARE WHAT THE PHILIPPINES IS ALL ABOUT — TALENT, TENACITY, TENDERNESS! MABUHAYYYY! 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭 @itsmemattyj' (sic)

Episode Four: Farmers Choir gets the golden buzzer

The Hawkstone Farmers Choir won Amanda's golden buzzer after performing Elbow’s 'One Day Like This' on Saturday 21st March, sending them straight through to the semi-finals.

The judges described their performance as emotional and said the choir’s appearance highlighted the strength of community. The choir - formed by Jeremy Clarkson - and made up of 34 farmers from across the country, moved Amanda's to tears before she pressed the buzzer. Members said the project was formed to bring farmers together and reflect the pressures of farming life.

Amanda was brought to tears, as she noted: "As soon as you started, I completely welled up. There was so much power. I love the whole community and love how you've all got together and you work your a-ses off", as she praised the farming communities continued efforts.

Viewers also praised the group's performance on social media, with one noting: 'Jeremy Clarkson… what a guy.. exposed the government.. and brought all farmers together!! 👏👏👏', while another noted: 'Jeremy Clarkson… what a guy.. exposed the government.. and brought all farmers together!! 👏👏👏' (sic)

A third added: 'I find it amazing how many ideas Clarkson comes up with. Giving farming a shot and not afraid to show he makes loads of mistakes. Unites real farmers, promotes them, makes a collaboration to share produce in the shop and restaurant. Then come up with an idea this. Now these farmers are getting even more recognition. They preformed fantastic and it shows talent is all around us. These farmers are fantastic and great at what they are doing.' (sic)

Episode Three: Antigravity gets golden buzzer

The 7th March episode descended into chaos when judges Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell wrestled over the golden buzzer for Ukrainian group Antigravity, whose innovative video game-style performance wowed the panel.

They performed a high-concept routine that turned their audition into a real-world video game, combining pre-designed gaming environments with live choreography and special effects on stage.

The Ukrainian troupe interacted with projected backgrounds and visual effects to create the illusion of moving through different game levels in real time.

Despite already using his golden buzzer in the opening episode, Simon tried to bend the rules, prompting Alesha to dive across the desk, and breaking Amanda's microphone in the process.

Viewers took to social media to praise Alesha and question the bizarre race to the buzzer, while Simon later laughed off the incident as an example of how fiercely judges fight over standout acts.

Speaking about the carnage, Simon himself noted: "Sometimes we actually fight over the golden buzzers, and I'm not kidding, Alesha threw herself across the desk to stop me. She actually injured herself in the process!"

"I mean, that's how competitive people get when there's a good act, sometimes there's a fight as to who's gonna press it first. It's really funny," he added.

One viewer wrote: 'We weren't expecting Alesha Dixon to dive to hit the golden buzzer and broke Amanda Holden's microphone and push Simon cowell out of the way.' (sic)

'Go on Alesha pushing Simon out of the way of the golden buzzer', 'Well done Alesha that was a brilliant golden buzzer (even though you had to fight for it)', said another fan.

Episode One: Who got the golden buzzer?

In Saturday 21st February's opening episode, Simon Cowell’s first golden buzzer of the series went to 53-year-old Australian dad-of-three Paul Nunnari, a wheelchair user whose aerial silks performance completely wowed the judges. Paul hauled himself up the fabric using only his arms, spun high above the stage suspended by his neck, and even added a blindfold, leaving the panel visibly moved and viewers calling the moment a stand-out highlight of the new series.

Adding a personal touch his praise, Simon left the panel to congratulate Paul by greeting him on stage to shake his hand. "Amazing - good for you. That was incredible", Simon commented. Paul replied: "Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity", before Simon told the contestant to look at the standing ovation in the audience in a clearly overwhelming win. "I mean that was mega," Simon concluded, before returning to the panel.

When is BGT on TV?

The new series of Britain's Got Talent continues every Saturday night.

When were the auditions?

The first round of auditions were due to kick off at the Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham on Thursday 2nd October. However, after head judge Simon Cowell took ill, they were cancelled and resumed on Friday 3rd October.

Simon was once again unable to attend, but Stacey Solomon stepped in to replace him.

Auditions then moved to Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Friday 10th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th October 2025, before returning to Birmingham later in the month.

Where is Britain's Got Talent filmed?

For the 2026 series, auditions took place in two locations, Winter Gardens in Blackpool and the Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham.

The live shows will once again take place at Eventim Apollo in London.

Who are the judges on Britain's Got Talent?

Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon return for the 19th series, but Bruno Tonioli has confirmed he's stepping down after three years on the show.

Sharing the news on 1st September 2025, he said: “After three incredible series, I’ve sadly had to walk away from a job which has opened my eyes to so much incredible talent and step down as a judge on BGT. And whilst I look forward to filming a new series of Dancing with The Stars in the US, I will miss the chaos and joy that BGT brings, as well as all the wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of working with. They truly are a brilliant team who make brilliant television, and I know KSI will be a fantastic judge too, as he’s already proven this year.”

KSI, who stood in as a guest judge during the 2025 series, has now become a permanent judge!

KSI said: “I’m so grateful and happy to be a part of the Britain's Got Talent team for another season. I had such a good time last year and I can’t wait to see some more top talent. I’m full of energy, ready to go and can’t wait to make this the most entertaining BGT season ever! Let’s do this.”

Singer and TV personality Stacey Solomon also joined the panel for the first day of auditions in Birmingham, replacing Simon who was too ill to attend.

Sharing a video to the official BGT Instagram account, Stacey told fans: "I'm here at BGT HQ in Birmingham, and I'm so excited to be a guest judge. This is a dream come true for me, so I cannot wait to get started and see what it's all about."

Stacey's appearance aired during the episode on Saturday 21st March and 4th April.

What channel is it on?

Britain's Got Talent airs on on ITV/ITVX and STV/STV Player for viewers in Scotland.

What time is it on?

The show usually begins at 7pm.

Who hosts Britain's Got Talent?

The loveable duo that are Ant and Dec have returned to host the 2026 series.

How does Britain's Got Talent work?

Anyone of any age is welcome to audition for Britain's Got Talent with any talent they want to show off. Previous performers have included singers, comedians, dancers, musicians, and dog acts to name a few.

The first round of auditions are held throughout the UK in autumn, followed by another round of auditions with the judges and an audience present in January or February.

If the judges give a majority vote of 'yes' to a contestant they go through to the next stage. The judges then deliberate on which of these acts to take forward to the semi-finals, where the viewers at home get involved in voting to keep their favourite acts in the competition. However, if a judge uses their Golden Buzzer at the audition stage, the act goes straight through to the semi-finals.

The winner of the final gets a cash prize as well as a spot in the next Royal Variety Performance.

What is Britain's Got Talent: The Champions?

Following the main series, Simon Cowell announced plans for Britain's Got Talent: The Champions in 2019, featuring some of the most popular acts from the series around the world.

The judging panel remained the same for the show, with Simon, David, Alesha and Amanda sitting on the panel, whilst Ant and Dec hosted.

According to reports in 2026, The Champions series will return later this year.

Who won Britain's Got Talent: The Champions?

Dance duo Twist and Pulse, who first appeared on BGT in 2010, were crowned the winners of Britain's Got Talent: The Champions on Saturday 5th October 2019.

The boys, Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy, won the show ahead of the likes of MerseyGirls and Ukrainian sand artist Kseniya Simonova.

What happened to Britain's Got More Talent?

Britain's Got More Talent, hosted by Stepehn Mulhern, aired on ITV2/STV2 for a number of years, but in 2019, bosses confirmed that Britain's Got More Talent would be shown online only from 2020, with the hope they could reach a 'younger audience'.

An ITV spokesperson told the Daily Mirror at the time "As our 18-34 audience share continues to grow and viewing habits are changing, naturally we are listening to our viewers and focusing more on digital platforms in support of the main show."

Not long after, Britain's Got More Talent changed to Britain's Got Talent: Unseen Bits, before a brand new spin-off show was announced in 2024.

How long has Britain's Got Talent been on TV?

Britain's Got Talent first aired on our TV screens way back in June 2007. Ant and Dec were the hosts of the show, with Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan on the judging panel.

Who has won Britain's Got Talent in the past?

To date, 18 different acts have won Britain's Got Talent. These range from singers, dancers, comedians, magicians and even dogs!

The first ever winner of the show was opera star Paul Potts, who wowed both the judges and audience with his stunning cover of 'Nessun Dorma'.

Check out all of the Britain's Got Talent winners here.

Now take a look at all the BGT winners so far:

Now read:

Britain's Got Talent: A look back at the 2025 series

KSI replaces popular judge on Britain's Got Talent

15 things you probably didn't know about Ant and Dec

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