The boxer and YouTuber was left in tears by one of the ITV series’ semi-finalists
KSI broke down in tears on Britain’s Got Talent(Image: ITV)
Britain’s Got Talent star KSI broke down in tears over his relationship with his dad during the ITV reality show’s latest live show.
KSI, whose real name is Olajide ‘JJ’ Olatunji, is in the middle of his debut series as a full-time judge on Britain’s Got Talent. He has been sitting on the judging panel with Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden.
The content creator with 17.2 million YouTube subscribers first appeared on the programme last year when he was brought in to fill in for when Bruno Tonioli was filming Dancing with the Stars, KSI jumped in again when Simon took time off following One Direction singer Liam Payne’s passing.
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Having also made an appearance during the live semi-finals, KSI was confirmed as a full-time judge after former Strictly Come Dancing star Bruno announced in September that he’s stepping away from the series after three seasons, having joined the programme in 2023.
On Saturday night (May 16), KSI and the rest of the judges were reunited with poet Sonny Green, one of the most popular acts during the auditions process. For his semi-final performance, Sonny read a poem to his sons.
“It doesn’t matter how old you get, you’re never too old for a cuddle from your dad. I will embarrass you along the way, but it’s okay that’s what dads tend to do. Right now you’re probably thinking you know it all.
“The quicker you realise you don’t, the easier life gets. You’ve got two eyes, two ears and one mouth because you should probably listen as much as you speak. Never miss a moment to say what needs to be said, like telling your family you love them before you walk out the door because not everyone comes back,” he said.
(Image: ITV)
Sonny went on to encourage his sons to be ‘friendly, show manners and have respect’, before emphasising that they’ll ‘never be too old to get a cuddle from your dad.
Towards the end of his poem, Sonny said he hopes his sons get ‘pearls of wisdom and makes memories no one can ever take away’. Beginning to get emotional, Sonny’s children ran up to the stage to give him a big hug, with him telling them ‘they did it’ and the judges standing on their feet as the act came to an end.
Praising Sonny, Amanda said: “Oh my god… you are ‘meant’. Everything is meaningful, every moment, every breath, the delivery, the intention and it’s all from your heart.”
“It just struck a chord with me. I have a teenage girl, all of that meant so much. I’m going to watch it back, type it up, frame it and put it in her bedroom. Thanks so much.”
Having already been shown with tears rolling down his face during Sonny’s poem, KSI said he was ‘sorry’ when it was time for him to give his feedback. The boxer and musician then began to sob with his hand over his face.
“It just really hit me, it just really hit me. I know my relationship with my dad isn’t always the best. Hearing those words just makes me really think about what I need to improve on
“Sonny you’re a great man… I know I need to do better as a son as well,” he admitted in a candid moment.
Managing to keep his composure was Simon, who stated: “Sonny, you know are following people with fireworks on their heads, people chomping over themselves, insulting us, and you just came with yourself and these words.
“You can hear a pindrop. I can see how emotional you were getting. Yeah I’m a dad and all I can say is Sonny you are gold.”
At this point, Simon used his golden buzzer to send Sonny straight through to the final, set to be held later in the month. In one of the most emotional moments in Britain’s Got Talent history, Sonny proceeded to run around the studio as he received a chorus of applause.