u/Major-Feed5214

https://preview.redd.it/zod5m0wgtfbh1.jpg?width=708&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fca8077cabe059146e4b51af83ce0c9f59075148

The most recent series (series 19; 2026) averaged 4.4 million viewers across its run, averaging 5.5 million for 2025. I'd argue BGT is a show that's easily capable of averaging 6 million viewers, but the show has undergone too many unnecessary changes and certain aspects are starting to feel a bit dated.

Here are some ideas for a shake-up:

1. An all-new judging panel - Ant & Dec can stay for now, but an all new panel of judges is needed imo. Amanda and Simon are BGT dinosaurs as far as I'm concerned and Alesha has been on for 14 series which isn't actually far off the two above. As for KSI, I'd say he was brought in to appeal to the younger crowd/bring in a new demographic of viewers, but he's failed on that spectrum and, also, he seems a bit one-dimensional with his judging, rarely offering anything of substance to his critiques. I'll nominate Alan Carr as one judge (why he didn't replace David instead of Bruno is a mystery), Jeremy Clarkson as another (witty, no nonsense judging persona) and two wildcard female judges to accompany them. A role model Got Talent judge, whilst somewhat controversial outside of judging, was Howard Stern (AGT; 2012-15).
2. Bring back the stripped live shows - just because the lack of Takeaway means the schedules allow for weekly live shows doesn't mean they're a legal obligation for the producers/ITV schedulers. The stripped live shows have more of an 'event television' feel to them and keeps a degree of momentum from the Auditions that has been lost since the live shows went weekly.
3. Ditch the Golden Buzzer - for Auditions and live shows. Back in its early years, the GB seemed authentic and, particularly with David, it seemed the judges would press it for an act they genuinely awed and were rooting for. Now, it just seems an excuse to create viral moments and guarantee YouTube clicks (believe me, 'Golden Buzzer' seems something of a buzzterm on any given Got Talent channel). My suspicions are further heightened with its inclusion in the live shows - this feature to them got rid of the judges' choice which was genuinely quite exciting at times. The GB also puts its recipients on a pedestal.
4. Shut the audience up - this isn't too much of an issue during the Auditions, but more so in the Live Shows, wherein the editors can't be as liberal with reducing crowd noise and, thus, you can barely hear the judges. It's like a chaotic school classroom, honestly.
5. Ditch the recycled judges' reactions - again, no one cares about the same facial expression from Cowell being shown for the fourth time during the Auditions stage, for the fourth different act. You can maybe get away with it for singers or acts like intimate magic in which the judges often play an active role, but for dance acts/anything with a strong visual element and lack of judge input, it is so frustrating.
6. Introduce a middle round - one that isn't just Judges' Deliberations. 'Judge Cuts' on AGT (2015-19) worked really well. You'd have 80 acts who passed the Auditions, split into four pre-recorded shows of 20 acts. 9 would pass each show (in the context of BGT) to create 36/40 for the semis, with the judges then choosing one Wildcard act each. Of course, four shows of this might drag, particularly if it is one per weekend, so one big show or a Saturday/Sunday double bill might be useful. A Middle Round also helps weed out the one-hit wonders/acts that the judges put through for a laugh.
7. A new airing period? - 'The Masked Singer' seems to be rating lower and lower each year and I can't see it gaining viewers back - the gimmick is tired. I can't see the show still airing post 2030, shall we say, so why not air BGT in that eight-week timeslot. Something like this could work:

- Week 1 (Auditions 1)

- Week 2 (Auditions 2)

- Week 3 (Auditions 3)

- Week 4 (Auditions 4)

- Week 5 (Auditions 5)

- Week 6 (Auditions 6 + 7 - double bill)

- Week 7 (Middle Round - double bill)

Week's break

- Week 8 (stripped live shows M-F; final on the Sunday).

Firstly, I’ve read my question title back and it does seem a bit shite, so sorry for any confusion.

For me, “actions speak louder than words”.

I’m of your typical uni student’s age and with so much of my generation being invested into social media, so many people are always messaging/communicating online with so many other people, that after a certain number of texts/calls etc, surely it all becomes a bit meaningless/trivial/facetious without the sender realising it?

I’ve found that in-person actions are more telling of someone’s true character than what comes out of their mouth. You might quickly say something that you don’t mean or seems a little false, whilst physical actions tend to be a bit more well thought through and sincere, whether to warm someone or upset them.

It’s 02:28 at time of typing and this post might seem like a load of nonsense - I am sorry if so.

I was surprised at how lovely Rachel Riley was when I appeared on Countdown - I’d heard various stories along the lines of *diva antics this* and *diva antics that*, but she was incredibly sweet and kind to me.

Due to unforeseen circumstances whilst recording an episode, we had to halt production for about 30 minutes - she came over to me in the champion’s chair (by her own choice) and we just spent ages talking about football and she asked me about the performing arts club I attended, that I’d mentioned in the opening chat with Colin Murray (also brilliant).

The inspiration for this question - albeit to be taken with a pinch of salt as it popped up via a TikTok video. Someone was talking about their experience meeting Ian Brady, who apparently was rather laid back and ‘hilarious’. Part of me can’t fathom that, given who he was and what he did but, at the same time, it is often the case with serial killers/evil people that they are much different to what their infamy would suggest.

I'd say the AGT golden era spans from season 7-14. I stumbled across a season 10 AGT advert and, I don't know, it just captures the era so well and, of course, it has, in my opinion, the best panel in Howard/Heidi/Mel B/Howie.

If we could go back to the format from the golden era, that would be great. Whilst the Callbacks is a great way forward and somewhat reminiscent of Judge Cuts, bringing back 10-14's JC format would be epic!

I have two (the first is appreciably niche):

1. (Famous) - my Mum’s cousin’s husband’s second cousin is Roy Keane. My brain hurts trying to figure out my relation to him (if anything).
2. (Infamous) - my great aunt’s GP was Harold Shipman. Apparently, he was rather nice and she was shocked when the news came out, but I wasn’t overly surprised at that reaction as I’m sure he operated on charm for the most part.

I also spent a solid amount of time with Colin, Rachel and Susie from Countdown - all really lovely, if a slight surprise at that re Rachel. I also walked past Stephen Mulhern in Chiswick - I gave him that British face of acknowledgement and he replied with “you alright, matey”.

Really interesting read, I thought. I hadn't considered they might've wanted to have a different host for the Celebrity version - would've lessened Claudia's workload and doing both versions of The Traitors in addition to smaller projects might've contributed to her Strictly departure?

As for Bill turning down Last One Laughing - that's only a day's work, but the article says he was away, "filming a travel documentary". A shame - he could do series 3? Taskmaster and House of Games for Bill whilst we're at it, please.

For me, I look no further than Impossible and 1000 Heartbeats.

The latter was particularly impressive - each player takes on up to seven minigames of increasing difficulty whilst being timed (think of it as a mental version of The Cube). The catch - your timer is your heart rate and the faster your rate, the faster your 1000 heartbeats will run out. Genius! Vernon Kay hosted.

Unfortunately, I don't remember its ratings being awfully amazing and it suffered from minigame fatigue. Still, it got two series and made a decent impression on me.

https://preview.redd.it/3xamecoqd33h1.jpg?width=580&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64f149408cdc642a2f632c2c992e226877cf168a

1000 Heartbeats episode

Might as well get the ball rolling with this thread as has been done for previous series.

Richard’s final week (Champion of Champions of Champions): >!Maisie Adam, Miles Jupp and two TBC!<

Champions’ Week: >!Jenny Eclair and three TBC!<

That is it, so far - there would have been a pause in filming owing to Michael on The Celebrity Traitors, but filming’s since wrapped and more names should be leaked before you know it via socials. Filming is in Salford again and Michael was up there in late April.

Will be updated with more names as we know them! Please share in comments if you know any names.