The ever-popular ITV show Britain’s Got Talent is returning to our screens this weekend.
Judges Simon Cowell, Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and guest judge KSI are set to return for series 18 along with hosts Ant and Dec.
And ITV has promised it will be back “bigger and better than ever” for Series 18 in 2025.
As we prepare for the show’s big return, let’s look back at all the previous champions and what their life has been life after the show.
Every winner of Britain’s Got Talent so far
Series 1, 2007 – Paul Potts
The opera singer wowed audiences at the Wales Millennium Centre with his rendition of Nessun Dorma.
His semi-final song was part of Andrea Bocelli’s Time To Say Goodbye, before a second performance of Nessun Dorma in the final.
Potts went on to perform Sarah Brightman’s Nella Fantasia at that year’s Royal Variety Performance.
Series 2, 2008 – George Sampson
George Sampson was the victor in the second series of Britain’s Got Talent, returning after not progressing in the previous year.
His second attempt, a dance to Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now), was successful.
The dancer topped the audience’s vote in the semi-final, dancing to a remix of Singin’ in the Rain by Mint Royale.
Sampson won the final with the same dance.
One of the most well-known acts over all the years from Britain’s Got Talent, Diversity have gone on to have a hugely successful career after their win in Series 3.
The street dance group from across London and Essex breezed by with their first audition, before opening their semi-final night and achieving a standing ovation.
Diversity eventually won their series, beating out the favourite, Susan Boyle.
Series 4, 2010 – Spellbound
The gymnastic troupe wowed their audience with a performance to the song O Fortuna.
Spellbound went on to the semi-finals and finals, beating Twist and Pulse in the Britain’s Got Talent final.
The group has competed all over Europe, with six competing for GB at the 2009 World Games, an Olympic-style event for non-Olympic events.
Series 5, 2011 – Jai McDowall
The Scottish singer-songwriter had appeared on the X Factor before his Britain’s Got Talent appearance in 2011.
Auditioning with the song Anthem from the musical Chess, before singing a rendition of Bring Me to Life by Evanescence in the semis, McDowall breezed to the finals.
His final performance of Josh Groban’s To Where You Are won him the talent show.
Series 6, 2012 – Ashleigh and Pudsey
The nation fell in love with the duo Ashleigh and Pudsey during the stint on the programme.
After their first audition, Simon Cowell said “Pudsey is one of the best dancing dogs I’ve ever seen”.
The pair won the show, with Pudsey even going on to star in Pudsey the Dog: The Movie five years later, voiced by Britain’s Got Talent judge-to-be David Walliams.
Series 7, 2013 – Attraction
The shadow theatre group from Hungary were the next winners of the show and wowed crowds with their performances.
The group acted out two emotional stories, including a couple falling in love, before the husband goes to war and dies, ending on the mother and daughter at his grave.
Their performance that won them the show was a tribute to Britain, with shadow puppets of Winston Churchill, the 2012 Olympics and Queen Elizabeth II.
Series 8, 2014 – Collabro
Series eight of the show was won by musical theatre group Collabro.
During their tenure, they performed some iconic musical hits Stars and Bring Him Home from Les Misérables.
After the show, they signed a record deal with judge Simon Cowell’s record label, Syco Music, and released their debut album later that same year.
Series 9, 2015 – Jules O’Dwyer and Matisse
The second human-canine double act to win, Jules and Matisse were similarly adored by the British public.
Performances involved Jules and Matisse each playing a character to tell stories in among tricks, such as a toy maker and toy, or a policewoman and sausage thief.
Two of Jules’ other dogs, Chase and Skippy, also took part in the performances.
Series 10, 2016 – Richard Jones
The former soldier from London won series ten of Britain’s Got Talent with his magic act.
Speaking before his semi-final performance, he said: “I just love the look on people’s faces when they see something that shouldn’t be possible.”
He enjoyed a UK magic tour after his win, as well as a touring Butlins during 2018.
Series 11, 2017 – Tokio Myers
Born Torville Ashburn M. Jones, Myers wowed audiences with his incredible piano performances during his time on Britain’s Got Talent.
Using a sample pad, he impressed the judges by mixing classical music with dance and pop songs.
He has released many songs following his appearance as well as a full album.
Series 12, 2018 – Lost Voice Guy
Comedian Lee Ridley was the winner of Series 12.
After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at six months old, he was left unable to speak but used this as a genius route into comedy.
Using a text-to-speech app, his routine was pre-programmed with sentences which left audiences cracking up.
Series 13, 2019 – Colin Thackery
A former war veteran, Thackery became the oldest winner of Britain’s Got Talent at 89 when he won it in 2019.
The Chelsea Pensioner dazzled both the audience and judges with his performances of Wind Beneath My Wings, We’ll Meet Again and Love Changes Everything.
He went on to release an album and tour the UK after his win.
Series 14, 2020 – Jon Courtenay
The singer, pianist and comedian won Series 14 of the ITV show.
Auditioning with his one-man musical song mixed with quick witted jokes aimed at the judges and more.
He was the first act to win after being given the golden buzzer.
The comedian gave audiences plenty of rib-tickling moments during his run on the show.
Blake was Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer and won the show with nearly a fifth of the votes in the final.
Since the show he has enjoyed various TV appearances, including Celebrity Lingo and Saturday Mash Up.
Series 16, 2022 – Viggo Venn
Perhaps the whackiest winner on the show, the Norwegian comedian had audiences in hysterics with his performance.
Venn would repeatedly take off hi-vis after hi-vis to the tune of Daft Punk’s One More Time.
Even Ant and Dec joined in with his hilarious act.
Series 17 – 2023 – Sydnie Christmas
The latest winner was Sydnie Christmas, who received the golden buzzer from Amanda Holden after singing Tomorrow from musical Annie.
Her semi final performance of Paul Anka’s My Way saw her easily get through to the final.
She won the show with her rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz.
Britain’s Got Talent 2025 returns on ITV, STV and ITVX on Saturday, February 22 7pm.
