KSI speaks out on ITV Britain’s Got Talent debut as he says fans ‘won’t like him’ over ‘polarising’ judging decision
YouTuber and musician KSI, 31, has issued a warning to ITV Britain’s Got Talent fans as he prepares to appear as a guest judge on the 2025 series.
The iconic talent show will return to screens this weekend featuring the influencer whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams “JJ” Olatunji.
KSI will join the show’s original judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden as they reunite with Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli on the panel.
He brings a following of 23.9m subscribers on his main YouTube channel and 15.8m on his second – among other strings to his bow.
The 31-year-old leads a successful music career and has also made his name in the fight game – taking part in several high-profile influencer boxing matches.
Ahead of Britain’s Got Talent’s return, he has warned viewers to expect something different from him that they may not like.
KSI was adamant he was not going to “sugarcoat” his critiques.
“I’m from the YouTube world – I’m cut-throat and straightforward,” he told Radio Times.
Building his brand from a small gaming channel, KSI explained he had seen it all in terms of good and bad content – and would not shy away from making use of that intuition.
The 31-year-old admitted: “Some people aren’t going to like that.”
Demonstrating his ruthless attitude, the YouTuber recalled a particularly woeful impressionist who came to audition.
The hopeful was almost in tears after hearing the feedback but this did nothing to dissuade KSI from continuing his brutally honest “polarising” critique.
“I know you travelled all this way, but that was bad, bro. I’m sorry man,” he recalled saying.
The 31-year-old explained his philosophy was never to be regarded as neutral by an audience.
“I want emotion. I want you to really love or really hate me,” he added.
However, KSI did concede that the jeers from audience members in response to his harsher barbs could be “intimidating”.
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The musician went on to assure fans that his “resilience” and self-belief would see him through any criticism.
To that end, KSI stressed the importance of free speech in helping air out bad ideas or individuals that would thrive if censored.
He explained that restricting some people gives them power. However, if they are simply allowed to speak but ignored: “they lose power because no one cares.”
The new series has already been mired in controversy after Amanda Holden raised alarm over a worrying lack of health and safety during while filming a stunt at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The incident involved Simon Cowell taking part in an audition with the ominous instruction not to move as a weapon was swung dangerously close to his head.