Simon Cowell has revealed that Britain’s Got Talent will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special all-stars series, with former contestants returning to battle it out once again.
The music mogul, 66, said they were going all out to mark the milestone 20th season of the talent show next year, by inviting ‘the best of the best’ back, including legendary star Susan Boyle.
Announcing the news to Daily Mail, Simon added that the same judges will also return, with the current panel made up of himself, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and newcomer KSI.
KSI was upgraded from a guest judge to a permanent spot this year, after Bruno Tonioli stepped down from the panel at the end of 2025, with this year’s series set to hit screens on Saturday, February 21.
Teasing what fans could expect for next year’s season 20, Simon said: ‘The same judges will be back. We are doing a champions show next year as well, the best of the best, which is brilliant.
He explained: ‘You get the best contestants from all over the world and you re-compete in a big competition so, I like those kind of things.’
Simon Cowell has revealed that Britain’s Got Talent will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special all-stars series, with former contestants returning to battle it out once again (seen October)
The music mogul, 66, said they were going all out to mark the milestone 20th season of the talent show next year, by inviting ‘the best of the best’ back, including legendary star Susan Boyle (seen on show in 2023)
When quizzed over whether 2009 runner-up Susan, 64, would be one of the potential all-stars, Simon enthusiastically said: ‘She has to!’
It’s been 16 years since Susan was catapulted to world stardom on the third series of BGT, narrowly missing out on the win to dance troupe Diversity.
She won the hearts of the public with her audition, where she shared aspiration to be a singer ‘as successful as Elaine Paige’, but was dismissed by the judges and crowd based on her appearance.
However, she stunned the world when she began her performance of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables, with Amanda calling it ‘the biggest wake-up call ever’ after the audience and judges’ initially cynical attitude.
Susan released her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream – named after her breakthrough song – the same year and it became the world’s best-seller of 2009.
She also made UK music history by having three successive albums debut at No 1 in less than two years, and to date, she has sold 25 million records.
And she found a new fan recently, when Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet revealed his admiration for her in December, while on the promo trail for his film, Marty Supreme.
The Oscar-nominated actor revealed his secret love of Susan and her viral audition in an interview with BBC News, where he was asked which British celebs he thinks are worthy of owning a limited-edition Marty Supreme jacket.
Announcing the news to Daily Mail, Simon added that the same judges will also return, with the current panel made up of himself, Amanda Holden , Alesha Dixon and newcomer KSI (seen
It’s been 16 years since Susan was catapulted to world stardom on the third series of BGT, narrowly missing out on the win to dance troupe Diversity (seen in her audition)
Reeling off a list that included Lewis Hamilton, Victoria and David Beckham and the rapper Fake Mink, he finished with Susan.
In the face of laughter from the interviewer, Timothée doubled down on his choice, replying with a straight face: ‘She dreamt big. She dreamt bigger than all of us.’
‘Who wasn’t moved by that [story]? I remember that like it was yesterday. That was like the advent of YouTube, you know?’
Simon shared his thoughts to the Mail about the unexpected shout-out for the BGT legend from one of the world’s biggest stars, saying: ‘I saw the clip!
‘That was so sweet, what he said, and coming from him that meant a lot.’
Susan herself was very moved by Timothée’s words, taking to her Instagram to gush: ‘This has been so incredibly touching to read. I’m very flattered, @tchalamet.
‘Those early days were quite something, and to know that moment meant something to you all these years on truly humbles me.
‘We all start somewhere, with a dream and a bit of hope, don’t we? We should all dream big! I wish you every success as you continue to dream your own dream.
And she found a new fan recently, when Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet (seen) revealed his admiration for her in December, while on the promo trail for his film, Marty Supreme
In the face of laughter from the interviewer, Timothée doubled down on his choice, replying with a straight face: ‘She dreamt big. She dreamt bigger than all of us’
‘Thank you for your kindness and for remembering that moment so fondly. With love, Susan.’
Susan is currently preparing for her return to the limelight after six years away from music, after a string of devastating health issues.
In May she shared a photo of herself during a ‘wonderful’ and ’emotional’ day in the recording studio, revealing she is working on new music.
It marks her long-awaited return after she suffered a stroke in 2022, which left her struggling to speak or sing.
Having suffered one stroke, she was also much more vulnerable to another, so her management team had to carefully manage the pace of her return to public life.
Susan also has diabetes and was warned by doctors during the pandemic she had a high chance of catching coronavirus.
