OVER the years the Britain’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer has become one of the best parts of the hit series.
It became an addition to the show in 2014, but now the ITV talent show would be lost without it.
How the Britain’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer works?
If the Britain’s Got Talent’s Golden Buzzer is pressed during a performance, it means that the contestant is automatically granted a place in the semi-finals.
This means they skip past the boot camp stage of the competition, ultimately giving them a head start.
Each of the four judges, plus hosts Ant & Dec, have one opportunity per series to press it for any act they deem as worthy.
The Golden Buzzer was introduced in series eight, and has been an integral part ever since.
However, over the last few years the Golden Buzzer rule of one per judge plus Ant and Dec has been broken.
In 2023, all four judges broke the rule to put Musa Motha through to the semi-finals.
They all pressed the buzzer at the same time, despite none of them having this privilege left.
For the 2024 series, it has been reported that during the pre-recorded auditions the Golden Buzzer was hit a whopping NINE times.
That’s four more times than it should have been.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, judge Amanda Holden revealed that Golden Buzzer rules had been broken during the 2024 series.
“The rule book has definitely gone out of the window,” she said.
“But Simon [Cowell] always said there are no rules on any of the shows he’s done, that’s probably why I’m still there!
“[There were] nine Golden Buzzers in total. I think Bruno [Tonioli] set the precedent last year when he just kept on pressing it.”
Britain’s Got Talent 2024 Golden buzzer acts
Sydnie Christmas
Syndie wowed the audience and the BGT judges with her rendition of Tomorrow from Annie.
Judge Amanda Holden was heard saying “it’s too early” as the crowd chanted Sydnie’s name.
The Golden Buzzer is such a personal thing and I always say I can only press it when it feels right.
Alesha Dixon
The judge told Sydnie: “That was the best version of it that I’ve heard heard in my mind, so I’m going to do this…”
Amanda then hit the Golden Buzzer and sent Sydnie through to the semi-finals.
Ravi’s Dream Team
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house then eight-year-old Ravi and his Dream Team choir stepped onto the stage.
Ravi showcased his incredible singing abilities on Britain’s Got Talent, after he approached by show bosses who had seen his efforts to raise funds for Brains Trust and The Brain Tumour Charity.
Ravi and the choir then performed A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman.
As they came to the end of their performance, it was Alesha Dixon who pressed the coveted Golden Buzzer.
The emotional judge said: “The Golden Buzzer is such a personal thing and I always say I can only press it when it feels right, and you’re such a remarkable young man.”
Ssaulabi Taekwondo Troupe
Ssaulabi Performance Troupe are group of highly skilled taekwondo performers.
Hailing from South Korea ages range from 19 to 23, and the troupe is made up of both men and women.
The martial arts pros literally tore up their audition in a Golden Buzzer-winning performance
The dynamic taekwondo show put on by the group saw them perform intricate somersaults and flips, whilst also breaking wooden planks effortlessly with their hands and feet.
Backstage hosts Ant and Dec were so impressed that they ran out and hit the Golden Buzzer for the troupe
Best Britain’s Got Talent Golden buzzer contestants
Calum Scott – Simon’s choice, series nine
Calum Scott performed a heartbreaking cover of Robyn’s Dancing on My Own.
His performance won him a gold buzzer from Simon Cowell, seeing him into the semi-finals.
Despite only finishing sixth in the final, the song eventually reached number two in the UK charts and Calum went on to have a huge music career.
Marc Spelmann – Ant and Dec’s choice, series 12
Magician Marc wowed the judges two years in a row – in 2018 as himself and in 2019 as the mysterious masked magician.
His first outing on the show got him a Golden Buzzer as he told the emotional story of his young daughter.
Simon said that he was “absolutely gobsmacked” and there wasn’t a single dry eye in the room.
Boogie Storm – Simon’s choice, series 10
Boogie Storm shook their hips to Fleur East before bursting into Gangnam Style is one of the most mesmerising experiences on BGT.
Against everyone’s expectations Simon went mad for it, and even called the performance a “dream come true”.
They came third behind series winner magician Richard Jones.
100 Voices of Gospel – Alesha’s choice, series 10
Although there was the initial struggle of squeezing such a huge choir onto the stage, a powerful performance of This Little Light of Mine proved to be one the most energetic auditions viewers had seen.
The judges were all so impressed that they ended up bickering about who would press the golden buzzer.
However, judge Alesha Dixon managed to beat Simon to it and he was gutted as he grumbled: “I am so irritated.”
Honey and Sammy – Amanda’s choice, series 14
Judge Amanda fell in love with the mother and daughter duo, Honey and Sammy.
Sammy had just got the all-clear from cancer, and Honey asked if she would audition with her.
Simon stopped them mid-audition, but they came back with a hastily prepared rendition of Freya Ridings’ hit Lost Without You.
Kojo Anim – Simon’s choice, series 13
Kojo Anim was an old friend of Alesha’s who had been working on the circuit for many years.
His stories about his childhood and rants about customer service wet down a story.
Shockingly, it was Simon who championed him, saying: “I don’t really like comedians on this show but I love you,” he said.
Timeline of BGT winners
Britain's Got Talent has been thrilling fans since it burst onto the scene in 2007.
Here we take a look at all the BGT winners– from the first ever one to the most recent:
2007: Paul Potts– The first ever winner of BGT was opera singer Paul Potts. He saw off competition from Connie Talbot, The Bar Wizards, Bessie Cursors, Damon Scott and Kombat Breakers to win.
2008: George Sampson – In series two of Britain’s Got Talent a young George Sampson wowed judges and viewers with his impressive dance moves.
2009: Diversity– Dance troupe Diversity scooped the BGT crown and beat of competition from singer Susan Boyle, who was strongly tipped to win the show.
2010 – Spellbound: Gymnastic troupe Spellbound really impressed judge Simon Cowell with their stunning routines and incredible stunts in 2010. At the time, the music mogul said: “I can only say on live television that was one of the most astonishing things I have ever seen.”
2011 – Jai McDowall: Viewers were stunned when Jai McDowall won the show in 2011, as young singer Ronan Parke was the favourite to win the series.
2012 – Ashleigh and Pudsy: Ashleigh Butler and her adorable pooch Pudsey stole hearts when they performed in series six of the talent show.
2013 – Attraction: Hungarian shadow artist group Attraction won the seventh series of Britain’s Got Talent. The squad had taken part in the German version of BGT in 2012, however, they had only placed seventh.
2014 – Collabro: Classical music band Collabro faced tough competition in the 2014 final as all the finalist were singers, but they went on to scoop the crown.
2015 – Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse: Dog lovers everywhere could’t get enough of Jules O’Dwyer and pet pup Matisse. The impressive duo even performed on a tightrope to secure their win.
2016 – Richard Jones: Army man Richard Jones became the first magician in the show’s history to win Britain’s Got Talent.
2017 – Tokio Myers: Pianist Tokio Myers impressed the judges with his blend of classical and electronic music.
2018 – Lost Voice Guy: Stand-up comedian Lost Voice Guy, who performs with a speech synthesiser, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was six months old. However, he defied the odds and is a BGT champ.
2019 – Colin Thackery: Veteran army officer Colin Thackery warmed the nations hearts with his singing voice. He was crowned winner of BGT after singing Michael Ball’s Love Changes Everything.
2020 – Jon Courtenay: Singer and pianist Jon Courtenay was Ant and Dec’s Golden Buzzer act. After he won the £250,000 prize he said: “”Just amazing, I can’t believe it.”
2022 – Axel Blake: Comedian Axel Blake scooped the crown after the show was off air for two years during Covid.
2023 – Viggo Venn: The reigning BGT champ is comedian Viggo Venn.