Top News

Britain's Got Talent winner Richard Jones has responded to rumours the show could eventually be axed, admitting he would be devastated if the ITV competition were to end. Richard was crowned the champion of Britain's Got Talent in 2016 and became the first ever magician to win the show. Richard, who is currently touring the UK with his show, The Sound of Magic, credits the show for changing his life and believes there should never be a world without BGT.

Thankfully, the show is going nowhere as a new £120million deal with ITV means it will continue until 2028 at least. However, concerns were raised when the latest series attracted its lowest ever audience of three million viewers when it kicked off last month. Despite this, Richard believes the show will be safe thanks to its newest addition - judge KSI. The YouTuber appeared as a guest judge last year before he was made a permanent member of the panel in 2026.

Richard described the move as one of the best decisions the BGT team could have made, recognising the entirely new audience the social media star has brought to the show thanks to their huge online following.

In an exclusive chat with Express Online, Richard, Corporate Entertainment Speaker, Champions Speakers Agency, said: "KSI is probably the best thing BGT has brought to the show in quite a while because he's brought a fresh new audience of people who probably haven't been brought up watching much TV.

"They've just been watching YouTube and online stuff so he's brought a whole new crowd. It was really smart."

Not only is KSI good for the show, but Richard explained that his expressive personality also benefits magicians.

Richard continued: "He's a really cool guy and he's brilliant for magicians because he's really expressive in his reactions which is really important for TV magic because the beauty of magic isn't just the trick and what you experience, there's also something really special about seeing other people reacting to something that special.

"When you're really expressive like he is, it really makes it feel more special. KSI standing on the table and pushing the golden buzzer with his foot. It's just great entertainment. He's a great, natural entertainer for sure."

While Richard admitted he doesn't look into the viewing figures, he highlighted the importance a show like Britain's Got Talent has for so many.

He remarked: "I don't look into the figures but I think Britain's Got Talent is one of the most important shows on TV for the arts. I can't think of any other show that every year helps hundreds of people get into the industry and showcase art and creativity.

"There's no other show that does that. There are other shows on TV that do similar things, but usually, most TV shows now want famous names to be featured on it. Britain's Got Talent brings normal, everyday people who just have a passion for something into the spotlight and gives them a chance to excel and highlight what they love to do."

He added: "I think that also inspires people at home to follow their passions as well. I think it's such an important show and I would be really upset for it to not carry on. I think it would be a real shame for the world because arts are very important."

Richard acknowledged the effort that goes into keeping Britain's Got Talent relevant in today's world after nearly two decades on air.

The performer observed: "Hopefully KSI being a judge and also the fact that they put the auditions onto YouTube after every show now. I think they're trying their best and doing a good job of keeping relevant on all the different platforms."

He acknowledged the importance of having shows that bring people together, believing it "shows our uniquenesses but also highlights our similarities".

Richard went on: "I think at times when parts of the world are feeling separated, it's nice to have shows that bring people together. I have so much gratitude towards BGT.

"I'm very and I know lots of people who are now making a living out of their passion where they weren't before and it's all because of that show giving them a little platform just to help give them a boost. I would be devastated if it stopped."

Tickets for The Sound of Magic can be purchased here.