The secret notes Britain’s Got Talent bosses give to the judges before each act have been revealed – and how these impact the legendary Golden Buzzer.

Since 2014, the ITV show’s judges – as well as hosts Ant and Dec – have used one Golden Buzzer each during the audition rounds.

This prestigious buzzer sends a select few contestants immediately to the live shows, but one viewer has suggested it might not be as spontaneous of a decision as it seems.

Taking to TikTok, user @adamjamesonTV said in a video: ‘The first Golden Buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent was completely staged.

‘Not quite, but there’s more going on than you realise.

‘Before filming each act, the producers will give the judges notes on what to expect in that performance.’ 

Britain’s Got Talent has returned for series 19 – and has received another brutal blow amid a disastrous ratings slump

Taking to TikTok, user @adamjamesonTV broke down the how the Britain’s Got Talent judges’ pre-performance notes impact the Golden Buzzer

He continued: ‘Stuff like whether they should persevere with the act, or whether there’s a big ending, or a shock in store.

‘So when that big moment happens and it looks staged, it’s because it kind of is. But just for different reasons.

‘The talent is real, the moment is real, the prep that’s what’s planned.’

One person commented: ‘It’s well known that the producers scout talent, so it’s very staged.’

Arguing for another act, a second person added: ‘THE DRONE NEEDED THE GOLDEN BUZZER.’

A third boldly claimed: ‘The shows a full lie.’

During last Saturday’s first audition show, Paul Nunnari earned Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer with his gravity defying act.

The Australian, 53, became a frontrunner to win the latest series after wowing judges Simon, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI.

The performance stunned the audience not only for his technical prowess, but because the former Paralympian executed the entire routine from his wheelchair, lifting and sustaining his body weight as he soared through the air.

In Saturday’s series 19 launch, Paul Nunnari (pictured) received the Golden Buzzer from BGT head judge Simon Cowell

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Paul opened up about the road trauma he suffered at the age of 11, which left him with a life-changing spinal cord injury – though he has never allowed it to define him.

Speaking about his act, he said: ‘I was injured through a road trauma when I was quite young. When I was in hospital, the two things I wanted to do were learn to do wheelies and to chase nurses. The chair wasn’t a deficit to me – it was the complete opposite.

‘I have always lived my life as a wheelchair user, not thinking about what I can’t do in the chair but thinking about how I can do it in the chair but differently. The chair has never been a barrier to do anything. That was definitely the motivator.

‘I never want to be judged based on my disability. I want to be judged based on my performance. So, it’s vitally important that I perform at a high level, so that’s my focus.

‘It’s most enjoyable once I finish the performance and know I have nailed it. Hand on my heart, when I climb down from that silk, I take the blindfold off and look at the judges and crowd, I know in my heart that I have nailed it and that’s what matters most to me.’

Paul said he wanted his performance, which he trained and rehearsed tirelessly to perfect, to demonstrate that having a disability does not hold you back.

He explained that, in his experience, people often underestimate him because he uses a wheelchair, something he considers entirely irrelevant.

Through his act, he hopes to challenge public misconceptions and change perceptions of the disabled community.

He said: ‘When you talk about the way you have been injured or why you’re a wheelchair user, it evokes a very sympathetic response. People with disabilities have very low expectations put on them and I think it should be the opposite.

‘We should give people with disabilities an equable and dignified starting moment as everybody else and have high expectations of them.

‘I feel like people are content for me to do the pat on the shoulder and say ‘I did my best’ because I’m in a chair – but I don’t ever want to feel like that.

‘It’s obvious I use a wheelchair and I have a spinal cord injury; I use a wheelchair fulltime and live my life in a chair but it’s almost like asking a person the colour of their eyes or hair. It doesn’t really matter.

‘I try to let my performance speak for itself and change attitudes through those three minutes.’

Britain’s Got Talent airs on ITV1 and ITVX. 

Britain’s Got Talent viewers have branded this year’s launch episode ‘boring’ as they moaned the acts are all the ‘same thing over and over again’.

Despite gracing TV screens for almost 20 years, BGT still has average viewership numbers of between five and seven million. 

But fans are now claiming it is officially ‘past its sell-by date’ as it returned for a new series on Saturday night. 

The first episode of the series saw a woman throwing buckets of fire with her feet, a performing dog and a dance troupe all take to the stage.

However undeniable their talents, viewers were left very unimpressed as they claimed the acts were all too similar to previous years.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they wrote: ‘Same sh*** different year,’; ‘Same old thing as every year…just with a zillion people this time,’; 

Britain’s Got Talent viewers have branded this year’s launch episode ‘boring’ as they moaned the acts are all the ‘same thing over and over again’

Despite gracing TV screens for almost 20 years, BGT still has average viewership numbers of between five and seven million

‘Not watched this in years yet it’s still the same old sh***, magicians, dog acts and dance groups,’; 

‘Britain’s Got Talent reached its sell-by date long ago. I’m so bored of rubbish magic acts winning,’; 

‘Used to enjoy BGT Kinda going off it as it’s just the same thing over and over again,’; ’47 mins into the show and I am not even impressed. What has this show become?’;

‘Here comes the same basic dance group it’s been done before BORING,’; ‘Finally a dog act on #BGT Who’da thunk it!,’;

‘I don’t know why I bothered tuning in, it’s as terrible as ever. Far too many people are too easily pleased .

‘Love dogs but Seen all this before,’; ‘2 Rubbish acts and we’re only 10 minutes into BGT 2026!’

Some even threatened to change the channel to the BBC’s Gladiators as they said: ‘It’s kinda boring and wanna turn over to Gladiators,’;

‘Already bored of #BGT now watching #Gladiators which is set in my city,’; 

The first episode of the series saw a woman throwing buckets of fire with her feet, a performing dog and a dance troupe all take to the stage

However undeniable their talents, viewers were left very unimpressed as they claimed the acts were all too similar to previous years

The 2026 judging panel once again features Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, as well as newcomer KSI

‘As someone who doesn’t watch #BGT i hope #Gladiators wins this ratings battle. Come on Ellie for the Scots.’

The 2026 judging panel once again features Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, as well as newcomer KSI. 

Needless to say, veteran presenters Ant and Dec will be back to lend their unique brand of comedy to the show – and keep hopefuls both calm and entertained backstage as they make their bids to impress the judges. 

As has always been the case, the show’s main prize is a chance to perform at the Royal Variety Show. 

The winner will also win a whopping £250,000 cash prize – an amount that has admittedly fluctuated since the show began in 2007.

Back then, the winner received £100,000 before the prize was increased to half a million in 2012. 

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they wrote: ‘Same sh*** different year,’; ‘Same old thing as every year…just with a zillion people this time’

Some even threatened to change the channel to the BBC’s Gladiators as they said: ‘It’s kinda boring and wanna turn over to Gladiators,’

This mega prize pot, however, wasn’t around for long and in 2013, producers settled on the current £250,000 prize.  

In 2025, the second-ever magician to win the show, Harry Moulding, won the show and the all-important cash prize and chance to perform at the Royal Variety Show. 

This would have undoubtedly been a real throwback for fans as it has been a decade since the show had its first winning magician, Richard Jones, in 2015, who also blew the competition out of the water with his impressive tricks. 

The show’s return will also look slightly different this year after Bruno Tonioli stepped down from the judging panel at the end of 2025.

He will be replaced by musician and internet celebrity KSI, 32, who has previously been a guest judge on the show.