KERRY Katona has given her honest opinion on Britain’s Got Talent’s judging panel – and has admitted she wants David Walliams back in his seat.
The 17th series of the ITV talent competition hit our screens earlier this month.
Viewers have been treated to an array of different acts over the past few weeks.
The famous panel also made a return with Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli judging who they think should be put through to the final.
This is Bruno’s second year on the show – and Kerry has admitted that she’s unsure if he’s “right for it”.
Kerry wrote in her recent New Magazine column: “I do miss David Walliams as a judge, though.
“He brought the fun factor and I’m not sure Bruno Tonioli is right for it, if I’m honest.
“And I’ve got a bit of a girl crush on Amanda Holden!
“The fact that she’s older than me makes me think I’ve still got time to look that good.”
In November 2022, David Walliams stepped down from being a BGT judge.
His decision to quit the ITV show came after a transcript of comments he made about contestants during a break in filming were made public.
In a statement issued before he quit, he said: “I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britain’s Got Talent in 2020.
“These were private conversations and – like most conversations with friends – were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry.”
In the leaked transcripts David called one OAP a “c***” three times and said of another: “She thinks you want to f*** her, but you don’t.”
The remarks were picked up on his microphone in 2020, and in September 2023 it was revealed he had launched legal action against Fremantle for the damaging leak.
In November 2023, it was revealed how the TV comic had sensationally secured a huge payout following his lawsuit.
David joined Britain’s Got Talent in 2012.
Bruno had previously been a judge on Strictly for when he joined the BBC programme in 2002.
He shocked fans when he quit in 2022 after 18 years on the series.
He returned for a second series as a judge in 2024 after he was inspired to take on the new challenge.
In an interview with The Sun he said: “They have all been wonderful, Shirley, Craig, Anton, the producers, they’re still my friends, they are so supportive, as I am of them.
“So are Tess and Claudia.
“They all congratulated me and Len sent me a wonderful email just before he passed away, which is still very hard to talk about.
“I can’t even speak about him not being here.
“But that email meant a lot to me.
“They know I love them all and they know I love the show.
“I spent 15 years of my life there.”
He continued: “I’m still doing the American one, and I’m very passionate about it, but sometimes you have to try something new.
“It is good doing something different.
“In a way the role I played in Strictly is different from what I do here.
“I’m so grateful to BGT for allowing me to show more of myself.
“I’m Bruno unleashed now, darling!
“I can use all my range, it’s exciting.”
Britain's Got Talent winners - where are they now?
Britain's Got Talent started way back in 2007 and is currently airing its 17th series. Let's take a look at the winners from the past 16 years...
Viggo Venn (2023)
The Norwegian comedian, 35, was crowned winner of the show last year. He beat Lilliana Clifton to the top spot. The funnyman is still doing what he loves the most – performing on stage. He’s currently touring around Australia, and his tour in the UK starts in June, wrapping up the following month. He’s also created his very own card game for fans to buy since winning the show last year.
Axel Blake (2022)
Alex, 35, won over the hearts of the nation two years ago after beating Jamie Leahey and Tom Ball in the final. The comedian now boasts 246k followers on Instagram and posts hilarious content on his page. As well as posting funny clips and videos on his social media pages, he’s also the host of his own podcast Like Father Like Fun with his teen son Nyron.
Jon Courtenay (2020)
Pianist Jon, 51, beat Sign Along With Us and Steve Royle on the 14th series of the ITV show. He certainly left a lasting impression after he made viewers cry with his original song about his late father. The singer made history by becoming the first golden buzzer act to win Britain’s Got Talent. A year after winning, he told of his secret cancer scare and has since been given the all clear. His most recent tour Bigger recently wrapped up.
Colin Thackery (2019)
British Korean war veteran Colin, 94, become the oldest person to win Britain’s Got Talent in 2019. After the show he released his own CD, completed a UK tour and published a book for fans to enjoy. In 2022 he returned to the stage to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Most recently, in October 2023, he sung at St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham for the Army Benevolent Fund.
Lost Voice Guy (2018)
Lee Ridley, 43, AKA Lost Voice Guy was Britain’s Got Talent’s 12th winner. The funnyman, who is disabled and unable to speak, won because of his hilarious stand-up performances. Shortly after winning BGT, he appeared on America’s Got Talent: The Champions and Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions. Since the show he’s done a list of incredible things including publishing his own book I’m Only In It For The Parking, and BBC Three’s TV show Jerk. He’s also offering intimate virtual comedy gigs for fans online.
Tokio Myers (2017)
Tokio, 40, real name Torville Ashburn M. Jones, is a musician who impressed the judges and viewers back in 2017. After winning Britain’s Got Talent, the singer appeared on The X Factor and America’s Got Talent: The Champions. He’s released one studio album Our Generation and a number of singles including Angel, Children and Bloodstream. He’s also worked with artists such as Clean Bandit. He’s due to start touring next month around the UK.
Richard Jones (2016)
Magician and solider Lance Corporal Richard Jones, 33, won Britain’s Got Talent in 2016. After winning, he continued to appear on our screens on shows such as The Chase. He even bagged himself his own ITV spin-off Operation Magic and placed second on America’s Got Talent: The Champions. The star is still performing to this day, having sold out all of his shows up until April this year. Richard also performs corporate events, is a motivational speaker, host and performs magic at weddings. He boasts a huge 37.7k followers on Instagram.
Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse (2015)
Dog act Jules and Matisse have kept a low profile since the show nine years ago. Fans were shocked when The Sun revealed that Jules had used a dog stunt double in the final. Jules used some of her money to marry her girlfriend.
Callabro (2014)
The five-piece theatre group beat Lucy Kay and Bars & Melody to the top spot 10 years ago. Callabro originally consisted of Michael Auger, Jamie Lambert, Matthew Pagan and Thomas J. Redgrave. Their bandmate Richard Hadfield left the band in June 2016. The group is very much still together and are due to perform their 10th anniversary show in June. They boast 33.5k followers on Instagram and regularly update fans with their shenanigans. The band have released seven studio albums over the years.
Attraction (2013)
Hungarian shadow theatre group Attraction beat Jack Carroll in 2013. Attraction consists of Katalin Torda, Alexandra Toth, Norbert Feher, Adrea Lakatos, Zoltan Szucs, Csaba Szentinek, Flora Szabados and Janka Kantor. Their iconic audition, of a couple who fell in love at Stonehenge, won over the judges. After BGT, they appeared on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and America’s Got Talent: The Champions. Attraction Juniors also auditioned for the show in 2022.
Ashleigh and Pudsey (2012)
Ashleigh and her pooch Pudsey were the first dog act to win the show in 2012. Their success led on to the pair becoming very popular and made various TV appearances including Who Let the Dogs Out and About?, That Dog Can Dance!, and Top Dog Model. They also had their own film made called Pudsey: The Movie and performed in various theatre shows. Pudsey’s own autobiography was released Pudsey: My Autobidography, and the pair have done a lot of charity work over the years. Sadly, in 2017, Pudsey passed away. Ashleigh later revealed her dog Sully would replace Pudsey in pantomime.
Jai McDowall (2011)
Since winning BGT, Jai has released one studio album, two extended plays and seven singles. Last year he replaced Lewis Raines in The X Factor band G4. Jai and the band are currently on their UK tour celebrating 20 years.
Spelbound (2010)
Gymnastic troupe Spelbound wowed the nation with their gymnastic skills 14 years ago. Since their win, the group have kept out of the spotlight. In May 2015 the coach of Spelbound was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty to three young gymnasts he trained. However, after the Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the evidence, all charges against him were dropped.
Diversity (2009)
Dance troupe Diversity beat Susan Boyle 15 years ago. The group has arguably become one of the most well known acts from the ITV show. Diversity currently consists of Ashley Banjo, Jordan Banjo, Sam Craske, Mitchell Craske, Perri Kiely, Warren Russell, Terry Smith, Nathan Ramsay, Theo Mckenzie-Hayton, Adam Mckop, Kelvin Clark, Jordan Samuel, Shante Samuel, Starr Kiely, Georgia Lewis and Curtis Butler. They have completed a number of tours over the years and returned to BGT to perform. Ashley, Jordan, Perri and Sam have also landed jobs away from the show. Ashley is part of the Dancing On Ice panel, Jordan and Perri have their own Kiss radio show, and Sam has been on Celebs Go Dating.
George Sampson (2008)
George, 30, has had an incredible career since winning Britain’s Got Talent 16 years ago when he was 14. He’s released his own single and DVD. The dancer has also dipped his feet into the acting and presenting world. George has landed roles in Waterloo Road, Emmerdale and Casualty. He’s also hosted Friday Download, and appeared in Celebrity Coach Trip and competed in Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions. George has also appeared in various theatre productions over the years, including Snow White, Cinderella and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
Paul Potts (2007)
Paul won the first ever series of Britain’s Got Talent – and is still performing to this day. Over the years he’s released seven studio albums and is due to tour Germany later this year. His most recent album Musica non Proibita is out now. His life was adapted into a film called Once Chance in 2013 and he also released his memoir One Chance: A Memoir the same year.
