Britain's Got Talent (BGT) 2026 kicked off its 19th series on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
This popular ITV talent show returned with fresh episodes airing weekly at 7 PM on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player in Scotland.

Official Start Date

Multiple reliable sources confirm the premiere aligned with ITV's typical spring schedule, just weeks after the February 11 announcements. The first episode drew huge buzz, featuring auditions for the £250,000 prize and a Royal Variety Performance slot.

Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and newcomer KSI (replacing Bruno Tonioli) reunited, hosted by Ant and Dec.

By late February, previews hyped "bigger, bolder, weirder" acts.

Airing Schedule

  • Episodes air Saturdays at 7 PM , starting February 21.
  • This season introduced panel changes to broaden appeal, amid talks of longer runtime than prior years.
  • Streaming available immediately on ITVX for catch-up.

Trending Context

Announcements trended heavily in early February 2026, with forums and news sites like Digital Spy and Radio Times lighting up over the date reveal—ten days out from launch.

One outlet noted a February 28 premiere, but most outlets standardized on the 21st, likely a reporting variance.

Fans speculated on Golden Buzzer moments and viral auditions pre-airing.

"The nation's BIGGEST stage is back! BGT series 19, coming soon to ITV1."

Key Highlights

  • Prize : £250,000 cash + Royal Variety slot.
  • New Judge : KSI joins permanently.
  • Last Winner : Harry Moulding (magician) from 2025's record-long series 18.

TL;DR: BGT 2026 started February 21 on ITV1 at 7 PM, with KSI as new judge and epic auditions underway.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.