Everyone thought they knew who was going to walk away with the £250,000 this year. The buzz around the Britain's Got Talent finalists for series 18 was loud, chaotic, and, honestly, a bit unpredictable once we hit the live shows. By the time the final aired on May 31, 2025, the tension in the Hammersmith Apollo was thick enough to cut with a stage prop.
We saw a magician reclaim the throne. Harry Moulding, a 24-year-old illusionist from Blackpool, didn't just win; he became only the second magic act in the show’s history to take the top spot. It’s been nearly a decade since Richard Jones pulled that off in series 10. Harry was actually KSI’s Golden Buzzer, which adds a layer of "I told you so" for the guest judge who filled in during the auditions.
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The Acts That Shook the Britain's Got Talent Finalists Leaderboard
The final lineup was a wild mix of styles. You had everything from a choir tied to the Post Office scandal to a group of dancers using ping-pong balls. It’s the kind of variety that makes BGT what it is.
The runners-up, The Blackouts, were something else. They’re an LED dance troupe from Switzerland, and they made history by being the first international act to ever finish as runners-up on the British show. Their tech-heavy performance was visually stunning, though some critics on social media felt it relied a bit too much on the "wow" factor of the lights rather than the choreography itself. Still, coming in second out of thousands of applicants is no small feat.
Then you have Binita Chetry. She’s only nine years old. An acrobat from India who finished in third place. She was essentially the breakout star of the season. Her flexibility and stage presence were way beyond her years, and she became the first act from an Asian country to land in the top three of any BGT series.
A Breakdown of the Final Standings
If you missed the live broadcast, the final ranking looked like this:
- Harry Moulding (Winner - Magician)
- The Blackouts (Runners-up - LED Dance Group)
- Binita Chetry (Third Place - Acrobat)
- Olly Pearson (Guitarist)
- Joseph Charm (Comedian)
- Jasmine Rice (Drag Queen Opera Singer)
- Hear Our Voice (Choir)
- Vinnie McKee (Singer)
- Han and Fran (Singing Duo)
- Ping Pong Pang (Dance Group)
- Stacey Leadbeatter (Singer)
It was a tough night for the singers. Stacey Leadbeatter and Vinnie McKee both had massive support during the semi-finals, but they couldn't quite capture that same lightning in a bottle during the grand final. Vinnie, specifically, won the public vote in the first semi-final with over 28% of the tally, so seeing him drop to 8th in the final was one of the night's biggest shocks.
Why Harry Moulding Actually Won
Magicians usually struggle on BGT because it’s hard to keep the momentum going for three different performances. You show your best trick in the audition, then what? Harry played it smart. He leaned into the "storyteller" vibe. His final act involved a massive "magical matchmaker" routine that felt more like a Vegas residency show than a talent competition entry.
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Simon Cowell even called it the "best final" he’d ever been a part of. High praise, considering he’s been sitting in that chair since 2007.
The "Hear Our Voice" choir was another heavy hitter emotionally. They were composed of people affected by the Post Office scandal. While they finished 7th, their impact was arguably the largest of the night in terms of public conversation. They didn't need the prize money to make their point; they just needed the platform.
What Most People Got Wrong About the Voting
There's always a conspiracy theory that the judges' favorites get more airtime or better slots. This year, the running order was a bit controversial. Olly Pearson, the 11-year-old guitarist from Wrexham, had to go last. Usually, the "pimp slot" (the final performance of the night) is reserved for the person the producers think will win. Olly was incredible—the kid can shred—but he ended up in 4th.
It proves that the British public doesn't always follow the "script."
Jasmine Rice, the drag queen opera singer, was another favorite who didn't quite reach the podium. She was Bruno Tonioli’s Golden Buzzer and brought a level of "high art" that we rarely see. Finishing 6th felt a bit low for her level of vocal talent, but the competition was just too dense with variety acts this time around.
The Practical Side of the BGT Win
So, what happens now? Harry Moulding gets the £250,000 and a slot at the Royal Variety Performance. He’ll be performing at the Royal Albert Hall in November 2025.
For the other Britain's Got Talent finalists, the path is less certain but often just as lucrative. Most of the top five usually end up with touring contracts or private bookings. The Blackouts are almost certainly headed for a global tour given their Swiss roots and international appeal.
If you're looking to follow in their footsteps, here is the reality of the situation:
- The Golden Buzzer is a double-edged sword. It gets you to the final, but you miss out on the "voting momentum" that acts like Vinnie McKee build during the semi-finals.
- Variety is back. For a few years, it felt like a singing competition. The 2025 results show that the UK is hungry for magicians, dancers, and acrobats again.
- Age doesn't matter as much as "the moment." Whether you're 9 (Binita) or 76 (members of the choir), the public votes for the story.
To keep up with what the finalists are doing now, your best bet is following their individual social media channels rather than the official BGT accounts, which tend to go quiet over the winter. Most of them, especially Joseph Charm and Olly Pearson, have already started announcing small UK tours for early 2026. Keep an eye on local theater listings if you want to see these acts without the TV cameras in the way.
Next Steps for BGT Fans:
Check the official Royal Variety Charity website for the full 2025 lineup photos and brochures. If you're feeling brave, applications for Series 19 are currently open on the ITV website; just remember that the bar for magic and variety acts has been set significantly higher after Harry's win.