Bradley Walsh officially joins Britain’s Got Talent as Simon Cowell is replaced at Blackpool auditions

Bradley Walsh has officially joined Britain’s Got Talent as a guest judge, stepping in for Simon Cowell at the latest auditions in Blackpool.

The much-loved television star was confirmed as the surprise addition to the panel on Monday, October 12, with Amanda Holden revealing the news on Instagram as filming continued at Blackpool Winter Gardens.

Walsh will join Holden, KSI and Alesha Dixon on the judging panel for the auditions ahead of the next series of ITV’s hit talent competition.

His arrival comes after Cowell pulled out of this month’s Blackpool filming dates following a back operation, prompting producers to bring in another familiar face to help keep the auditions on track.

For Walsh, the guest judging role adds another major entertainment credit to an already packed television career, with the presenter currently fronting some of Britain’s best-known programmes.

Bradley Walsh’s Britain’s Got Talent debut revealed

The announcement was delivered through a playful video featuring the existing judges speculating about the identity of their mystery guest.

Holden kicked off the guessing game, while KSI and Dixon offered their own humorous suggestions before Walsh appeared to reveal that he would be joining them.

The presenter’s arrival gives the panel a temporary change of pace while Cowell recovers, with Walsh bringing years of experience in live entertainment, comedy and television presenting to the auditions.

Although he is best known to millions of viewers as the face of The Chase, Walsh has built a broad career spanning acting, quiz shows, travel programmes and Saturday-night entertainment.

His appointment also reunites him with the kind of big-stage television format that has long been central to his career.

From The Chase to Gladiators: Bradley Walsh’s TV empire

Walsh remains one of Britain’s most recognisable television personalities, thanks in large part to his long-running role as host of ITV quiz show The Chase.

Since the programme launched in 2009, he has become synonymous with its quick-fire questions, playful exchanges with contestants and banter with the Chasers. The format has spawned several spin-offs, including Beat the Chasers and the international adventure series The Chase Around the World.

He has also become a major part of the BBC’s Saturday-night entertainment line-up through the revival of Gladiators, which he presents alongside his son, Barney Walsh.

The father-and-son duo have helped introduce the physical competition show to a new generation, with Bradley’s humour and enthusiasm complementing Barney’s role as co-host. The programme’s successful return has further cemented the Walsh family’s place in British entertainment. Until recently, he hosted BBC One’s Blankety Blank – which was axed amidst cuts at the corporation. Away from the studio, the pair have also fronted Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad, travelling together on adventures that showcase their relationship and contrasting personalities.

Walsh’s acting work has been equally varied. He played Danny Baldwin in Coronation Street, starred as DS Ronnie Brooks in Law & Order: UK and appeared as Graham O’Brien in Doctor Who.

And if that’s not enough, Bradley is also going on tour again with his comedy entertainment show alongside Shane Ritchie and Joe Pasquale.

Walsh’s new role comes at a time when his television profile is already exceptionally strong, and another high-profile ITV entertainment credit could open the door to further presenting opportunities.

The exact fee for his Britain’s Got Talent appearance has not been publicly confirmed, but the presenter is an established television star with a substantial portfolio of programmes across major broadcasters.

A successful guest stint could strengthen his position as one of the most in-demand faces in British entertainment, particularly when broadcasters are looking for presenters who can move comfortably between quiz shows, family entertainment and major live events.

While there is no confirmation of a permanent judging role, Walsh’s appearance could give producers an opportunity to see how he fits into the Britain’s Got Talent format alongside Holden, Dixon and KSI.

Whether the guest appearance leads to a bigger commitment remains to be seen, but his experience and popularity make him a familiar choice for viewers.

Bradley Walsh was also linked to Strictly Come Dancing

The Britain’s Got Talent news comes after Walsh’s name was repeatedly linked to another major Saturday-night television job: presenting Strictly Come Dancing.

Following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the presenter was widely discussed as a possible contender to take over the BBC ballroom competition. His experience hosting Gladiators with Barney and his long-running success on The Chase made him a natural name to feature in the speculation. <Cite refs={[“turn398385search12″,”turn398385news4”]}/>

However, Walsh has previously played down the prospect of taking on the role, joking that presenting Strictly would interfere with his weekends. Reports in May 2026 suggested his touring commitments had also made the job less likely. <Cite refs={[“turn398385news8″,”turn398385news2”]}/>

His new Britain’s Got Talent role therefore offers another route into one of television’s biggest entertainment formats without necessarily requiring him to take on a full-time presenting commitment elsewhere.

What happens next for Britain’s Got Talent?

The latest auditions are taking place across the UK this autumn, with the next series expected to bring another collection of singers, dancers, comedians and unusual acts before the judges.

Cowell’s absence from the Blackpool dates means Walsh will temporarily take his place, joining a panel that combines established television personalities with KSI’s newer generation of online entertainment fame.

For Walsh, the appearance adds another milestone to a career that has already included prime-time quiz shows, family travel programmes, scripted drama and major Saturday-night entertainment.

And with millions of viewers familiar with his face and personality, his arrival is likely to be one of the talking points surrounding the next chapter of Britain’s Got Talent.

For now, the appointment is a guest judging role rather than a confirmed permanent move. But with his television workload continuing to span several major programmes, Walsh remains firmly in the spotlight—and this latest opportunity could provide another platform for his already successful career.

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