The TV talent contest is back, with a supersized series, early launch date, and new guest judge.

If you’ve noticed Britain’s Got Talent adverts popping up on your TV recently, sadly it doesn’t mean that winter has passed more quickly than expected — for the first time, the ITV talent show will get a February launch date.

The Saturday night entertainment favourite is set to introduce its 2025 series early following a schedule shake-up at ITV and has also announced a big-name guest to join the judging panel.

Here’s everything we know so far about the changes at Britain’s Got Talent for 2025.

The great news for BGT fans is that there’s less time to wait for the start of the 2025 series than you might be expecting.

Last year, it was reported that the schedule for the ITV talent show had changed and was due to start in February this time, running through to a final in May.

The series usually launches in mid-April and runs until early June, but it’s now expected that we’ll see the first episode of the 2025 series much earlier on Saturday, 22 February.

Hosts Ant and Dec have also been teasing a big Royal announcement which is set to be revealed on 8 February.

What’s the BGT supersize rumour and why have the dates moved?

Long-time viewers of Britain’s Got Talent will know that the show usually begins with weeks of pre-recorded auditions and heats that take place around the UK and air on Saturday nights.

It then moves to a nightly schedule for the last week, with Monday to Friday as live semi-finals, a day off on Saturday, and then a last live show for the grand final on the Sunday.

However, this year it’s thought that rather than condensing the semis and final into a week, the live shows will be strung out across the usual Saturday night weekly schedule. This means that the whole supersized series could run for around three months.

It’s thought that the earlier start date and longer run could fill a gap left in the ITV1 schedule by BGT hosts Ant and Dec, whose long-running series Saturday Night Takeaway which would usually air from February to April has gone on indefinite hiatus. The duo were keen to take a break from so much live TV work while they concentrate on their young families.
Addressing reports of a supersize 2025 series with Good Morning Britain at the end of last year’s series, judge Amanda Holden said: “I think it would be amazing if it was true and if we did it every single Saturday rather than strip it in a week like we have done for 17 years. Because it is a Saturday night show.”

Fellow judge Alesha Dixon also backed the idea, saying: “Yeah and it is such an event when it comes around. And it is so warm and it brings so much joy – why not have it last a little bit longer? We need that in the world right now… Escapism.”

Auditions began early for the new series, launching at The Oval in London on 14 and 15 September.

Despite Ant and Dec wanting to take time away from Saturday Night Takeaway, their fans will be pleased to know they aren’t quitting BGT any time soon.

The Geordie duo have been confirmed for the new series and have appeared in a teaser ad hinting at a special Royal announcement this weekend.

Ant and Dec have been with the show since it began in 2007. In 2018 when McPartlin took time away from TV, he only appeared in some of the pre-recorded auditions and Dec Donnelly hosted the live shows alone. However, he returned the following series.

The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 has long been one of the most iconic convertible sports cars, and for 2025, a rare special edition is set to make it even more distinctive. Enter the 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 Manufaktur Golden Coast, an exclusive model limited to just 100 units worldwide, with a select number allocated to U.S. dealers starting now.

Crafted by Manufaktur, Mercedes’ bespoke personalization program that offers exclusive materials, finishes, and design elements, the Golden Coast edition exudes sophistication. It debuts in Kalahari Gold Magno, a matte hue paint inspired by sun-drenched golden beaches. Complementing this elegant finish are 21-inch AMG forged cross-spoke wheels in black, featuring rim flanges painted to match the car’s golden exterior.

Equipped with the AMG Aerodynamics and Night Packages, the exterior has a few black elements, like front splitter, and mirror caps, but even the grille, Mercedes’ three-pointed star and exhaust tubes are also finished in black chrome.

Inside, the SL 63 Manufaktur Golden Coast maintains its bespoke theme. The AMG Performance seats are hand-stitched in black Nappa leather, adorned with diamond quilting in gold to mirror the exterior’s tone. Gold-accented trim extends across the seats, door panels, and center console, further elevate cabin. High-pile floor mats with Nappa leather piping and an embroidered AMG logo add a final touch of exclusivity, while a “Manufaktur Golden Coast” badge on the center console proudly marks its rarity.