Britain’s Got Talent ITV Schedule Change 2025: New Times

Finding a favourite show has suddenly moved to a different night is a small jolt — and that’s exactly what happened this spring to Britain’s Got Talent viewers. ITV quietly rescheduled two live semi‑finals to avoid crashing into the Eurovision Song Contest, a programming shuffle that landed BGT on a Sunday and a Thursday instead of its usual Saturday slot.

Original air time: Saturday 7pm-9pm ·
New air time: Sunday 7pm-9pm (May 12) or 6pm-8pm (May 16) ·
Reason for change: Avoid clash with Eurovision 2025 ·
Number of semi‑finals rescheduled: At least two ·
Viewer reaction summary: Mixed; some appreciate the move, others demand format changes

Eight key facts about the rescheduling, the judging panel shifts, and the personal stories swirling around the show:

What is the Britain’s Got Talent schedule change on ITV?

ITV confirmed that the first BGT semi‑final would air live from the London Apollo on Saturday, April 25, 2026 (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)). The network then reshuffled its Saturday‑night lineup: the semi‑finals usually occupy the 7pm‑9pm slot, bumping Celebrity Sabotage to 6pm (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)). But the scheduling puzzle grew trickier once Eurovision’s dates were locked in.

Why did ITV change the BGT schedule?

The Eurovision Song Contest final falls on Saturday, May 17, 2025 – directly against the live BGT semi‑final that would normally occupy the 7pm‑9pm slot. Rather than compete head‑to‑head, ITV moved the fourth semi‑final to Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 7pm‑9pm, and the first rescheduled semi‑final to Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 6pm‑8pm (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)). The official ITV statement cited “allowing audiences to enjoy both events” – a polite nod to a ratings war that neither side wanted to fight in prime‑time.

When are the rescheduled semi‑finals?

The full semi‑final run now looks like this:

• Semi‑final 1: Saturday, April 25, 2026 – 7pm (normal slot)
• Semi‑final 2: Saturday, May 3, 2025 – 7pm (normal slot)
• Semi‑final 3: Saturday, May 10, 2025 – 7pm (normal slot)
• Semi‑final 4: Thursday, May 15, 2025 – 6pm‑8pm (rescheduled)
• Semi‑final 5: Saturday, May 24, 2025 – 7pm (BGT Official YouTube Channel (official source))

The grand final stays on its original date: Saturday, May 30, 2025 (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)).

The implication: viewers who committed to the traditional Saturday‑night ritual now face a Thursday edition and a Sunday edition – a real test of loyalty for a show that relies on habitual tuning.

Who is replacing Simon Cowell on BGT?

Simon Cowell has missed the live semi‑finals due to reported health concerns and other commitments – specifics have not been officially confirmed. The producers brought in a rotation of guest judges rather than a single replacement. Among them: the full Series 19 judging panel includes Ant McPartlin, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell, KSI, and Declan Donnelly (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)).

What did viewers say about Simon Cowell being replaced?

Viewer reactions are mixed. Some social‑media commenters said they missed Cowell’s trademark bluntness; others welcomed the variety. A vocal group on Facebook argued that the rotating judge format felt “disjointed” and that the producers should commit to a permanent stand‑in (BGT Official YouTube Channel (official source)). The network has not confirmed whether Cowell will return full‑time for the next series.

Why did Sharon Osbourne fall out with Simon Cowell?

Sharon Osbourne publicly criticised her former X Factor colleague, calling him “fake” and “dated” in an interview with Express (Express (British tabloid)). The fallout traces back to disagreements over The X Factor’s direction and personal tensions that simmered for years. Osbourne’s comments added fuel to a long‑running feud that fans still discuss in forums.

Why is Teddy Magic not on BGT?

The 8‑year‑old performer Teddy Magic – a viral golden‑buzzer act – officially withdrew from Britain’s Got Talent before the live semi‑finals (BGT Official YouTube Channel (official source)). The show’s social‑media account confirmed the decision but gave no reason. Fans speculated about stage fright, family privacy, or other personal factors; none have been substantiated.

Who passed away after getting the golden buzzer?

Jane Marczewski, better known as Nightbirde, received a golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent in 2021. She passed away from cancer on June 19, 2021 (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)). Her story is often cited as a reminder of the emotional weight behind the golden‑buzzer moment – a contrast to the controversy around acts like Fakir Testa, who also received a golden buzzer in the 2025 series and generated complaints from viewers who felt the accolade was undeserved.

Why is Bruno Tonioli leaving BGT?

Bruno Tonioli, who joined the judging panel for the 2023/2024 series, has announced he will leave after the current series (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)). His departure is attributed to scheduling conflicts with Dancing with the Stars, the US competition show where he serves as a judge. ITV has not named a replacement.

The judging panel for Series 19 already includes six names – Ant McPartlin, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell, KSI, and Declan Donnelly – which suggests the network may not rush to find a direct Tonioli successor (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)). The implication: BGT’s panel is becoming more fluid, treating judges as rotating personalities rather than permanent fixtures.

Are Simon and Lauren still together?

Yes – Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman are engaged, having become engaged in 2023 (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)). The couple has been together since 2013 and share a son, Eric. Silverman’s background includes a previous marriage to Andrew Silverman; the couple divorced before she and Cowell went public. No wedding date has been announced, but the engagement confirms the relationship is stable despite the pressures of Cowell’s public career.

Timeline signal

Key dates in the BGT 2025‑2026 schedule and surrounding events:

Viewer reactions and the format debate

The schedule change inflamed an existing argument about BGT’s golden buzzer rule. Viewers on Facebook and forums complained that the golden buzzer – originally reserved for exceptional talent – was now being handed out too freely. The audition of Spanish performer Fakir Testa, 45, who received a golden buzzer on the April 18 episode, triggered a wave of complaints (AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)). Critics claimed his act was mediocre and that the buzzer had lost its meaning.

The clash of opinions reflects a broader tension: long‑time fans want the show to preserve its “discover the next star” identity, while producers appear to lean into viral moments and drama. The scheduling disruption only amplifies the sense that the format is being stretched.

“The golden buzzer used to mean something. Now they’re giving it to everyone – it’s become a participation award.”

Comment on BGT Facebook page, via The Mirror (British tabloid)

“We made the decision to move the semi‑final dates to allow viewers to enjoy both the show and the Eurovision final. We hope fans will support the new times.”

ITV spokesperson, statement to AmoMama News (entertainment coverage)

“Simon is fake, he’s dated. He needs to step aside and let fresh voices take over.”

Sharon Osbourne, interview with Express (British tabloid)

What’s next for Britain’s Got Talent?

The grand final on Saturday, May 30, 2025, will determine this year’s champion – and will likely be the most‑watched episode of the series. Beyond the final, the show faces strategic decisions: whether to keep a rotating‑judge model, whether to address viewer complaints about the golden buzzer mechanism, and whether ITV will return to a fixed Saturday schedule in 2026.

The pattern is clear: Britain’s Got Talent is no longer a static annual event. It is a programming asset that ITV must manoeuvre around competing blockbusters (Eurovision, football, other reality finals). For the network, the choice is between protecting a reliable prime‑time performer or risking erosion of its audience by moving nights. For loyal viewers, the question is simpler: will the show feel like the same experience when it lands on a Thursday or Sunday?

For ITV, the scheduling trade‑off is not just about one Saturday – it is about whether a 19‑year‑old format can adapt to a fragmented television landscape without losing the loyal audience that made it a household name. The answer will arrive in the overnight ratings of those two rescheduled nights.

Viewers should check todays ITV schedule for the most accurate broadcast times during the live shows.

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