Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) faced an unexpected interruption as hosts Ant and Dec paused the show to address Simon Cowell’s sudden absence, leaving fans worried.
The ITV talent show aired on Saturday, March 22, featuring regular judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli, and hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. However, viewers were quick to notice that Simon Cowell was missing from key segments of the episode, sparking widespread concern on social media.
Why Was Simon Cowell Absent from BGT?
During the auditions, Ant and Dec stopped the show to explain Simon’s absence.
🗣 Dec revealed: “We have a spare chair. Unfortunately, Simon can’t be with us today.”
🗣 Ant added: “So we have a very special guest judge, KSI.”
In a surprising twist, YouTube star and musician KSI temporarily filled Simon’s seat as a guest judge during the auditions in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Fans React to Simon’s Unexpected Absence
📢 Viewers quickly took to social media to express concern:
💬 “A show without Simon?!” – One fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
💬 “Ahhh, Simon was off when Liam Payne died 😢” – Another viewer speculated.
Simon was reportedly absent after receiving devastating news about the passing of Liam Payne.
Liam Payne’s Tragic Passing – The Reason Behind Simon’s Exit
Liam Payne, a former member of One Direction, tragically passed away after a fatal fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina on October 16, 2024.
Due to the heartbreaking news, ITV briefly paused BGT filming out of respect.
📢 An ITV spokesperson confirmed:
“Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain’s Got Talent auditions. Our thoughts are with Liam’s friends, family, and all who loved him.”
Simon had a close bond with Liam, dating back to The X Factor 2008, when Liam first auditioned as a 14-year-old solo singer. Two years later, Simon famously placed Liam, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik together, forming One Direction—one of the most successful boybands in history.
Fans showed overwhelming support for Simon, understanding the emotional toll of losing a former mentee.
💬 “Heartbreaking news about Liam, totally understand Simon’s absence. Thinking of everyone affected.” – A fan wrote.
💬 “Hope Simon is okay, must be very hard for him right now.” – Another added.
KSI Impresses as Temporary Judge
While some fans were surprised to see KSI on the BGT judging panel, the YouTube star and musician quickly won over the audience.
💬 “KSI did a great job stepping in, tough shoes to fill though.” – One viewer praised.
💬 “Nice to see KSI on Britain’s Got Talent, but I miss seeing Simon there.” – Another shared.
When Will Simon Cowell Return to BGT?
Despite his temporary absence, Simon Cowell is expected to return in upcoming episodes of Britain’s Got Talent, which airs every Saturday at 7 PM on ITV1.
Fans eagerly await Simon’s return, but for now, the show continues with heartfelt tributes to Liam Payne and support for Simon during this difficult time.
