Overview

• Bruno Tonioli has officially left the judging panel after two series due to scheduling clashes with his Dancing With the Stars duties in the United States.
• ITV is negotiating with KSI, who drew strong viewer approval as a guest judge, to fill the permanent role.
• Producers have also approached comedian Alan Carr, who was previously in talks to join the panel in 2023, as an alternative candidate.
• Show boss Simon Cowell attempted to persuade Tonioli to stay before conceding that overlapping filming commitments made his return unworkable.
• Auditions for the next series are slated for Blackpool and Birmingham this autumn ahead of the show's April 2026 premiere on ITV.