You know that feeling when the confetti drops and the music swells, and you're sitting on your sofa wondering how on earth a guy jumping out of a plane just won a talent show? That was basically every person in the UK during the 2025 final. It was chaotic. It was loud. Honestly, it was peak British television.
The thing about finalists Britain's Got Talent produces is that they are never just "acts." They're stories. Sometimes they're stories about supermarket workers with voices like angels, and sometimes they're stories about Swiss dance troupes using enough LED lights to power a small village.
What Really Happened with the 2025 Finalists Britain's Got Talent
Let’s talk about Harry Moulding. The guy is 24, from Blackpool, and basically became the Tom Cruise of magic overnight. He didn't just do card tricks; he did "Magician: Impossible." We’re talking about a guy who correctly guessed the judges' cards while literally plummeting toward the earth in a skydive. Simon Cowell looked genuinely terrified, which, let’s be real, is half the reason we watch.
Harry wasn't even supposed to be the "big" favorite at the start. He was a Golden Buzzer pick by KSI—who was filling in for Bruno Tonioli during the auditions—and he even managed to squeeze in a marriage proposal during the semi-finals. Talk about high stakes.
But he wasn't the only one who had people talking. The variety in the 2025 lineup was kind of insane.
- The Blackouts: These guys came all the way from Switzerland. They are an electronic dance group that finished as runners-up. They actually made history as the first international act to ever finish that high in the rankings.
- Binita Chetry: She’s only nine. Nine! This little acrobat from Assam, India, took third place and honestly had more poise than most adults I know.
- Hear Our Voice: This was the emotional core of the series. A choir made up of people affected by the Post Office scandal. When they sang, you could hear a pin drop in the Apollo. Simon even told them that if they won, it would be a massive "forget you" to the people who wronged them. They didn't win the cash, but they definitely won the night.
Why Some Finalists Always Do Better Than Others
If you look at the history of finalists Britain's Got Talent has hosted, there’s a pattern. It’s not always about being the "best" singer or the "fastest" dancer. It's about the "moment."
Remember Sydnie Christmas in 2024? She was a singer who worked at a gym and a theater. People complained she was "too professional," but she had that "moment" with "Tomorrow" from Annie that just broke the internet. She won because she felt human.
Then you have acts like Jack Rhodes, the magician who came second to her. He was funny. Being "just" a magician isn't enough anymore; you have to be a comedian too. That’s exactly what Harry Moulding tapped into in 2025. He was likeable. He felt like a mate you’d have a pint with, who just happened to be able to read your mind while falling from 10,000 feet.
The 2025 Final Standings (Prose Edition)
Behind the top three, the talent was weirdly specific. You had Olly Pearson, an 11-year-old guitarist from Wrexham who landed in 4th place. He is basically the future of rock 'n' roll. Then there was Joseph Charm, a stand-up comedian who opened his set with a Bon Jovi solo—because why not? He took 5th.
Jasmine Rice, a drag queen opera singer, took 6th. She was Bruno’s Golden Buzzer, and that dress... I mean, it was a structural marvel. The rest of the pack included the Post Office choir (7th), Vinnie McKee from Glasgow (8th), and the Abba-medley duo Han & Fran (9th).
📖 Related: Why the Billy Butcher trench coat is actually the most practical thing in The Boys
Even the lower-ranked acts like Ping Pong Pang—a rave-themed dance troupe that used ping-pong balls—brought a level of energy that you just don't see on other shows.
The KSI Factor and the Judge Shake-up
We have to address the elephant in the room. KSI joining the panel.
Initially, he was just stepping in for Bruno due to scheduling conflicts, but the energy shifted. He brought in a younger audience who probably hadn't watched terrestrial TV in years. He was the one who pushed the button for Harry Moulding. Without that Golden Buzzer, does Harry win? Maybe not. Momentum is everything in this show.
It’s now confirmed that KSI is sticking around as a full-time judge for Series 19, replacing Bruno Tonioli permanently. This is a huge deal for the future of the finalists Britain's Got Talent will attract. We’re likely to see more "creator" type acts and high-energy variety performers rather than just the classic crooners.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Finalists
People love to moan. "It's all professional singers now!" or "Why are there so many foreign acts?"
📖 Related: Way Maker Leeland Lyrics: Why This Song Hits Different in the Middle of the Night
Here is the thing: the show is called Britain's Got Talent, but it’s filmed in London and broadcast to the world. If a Swiss dance group is better than a local one, they get the spot. The 2025 final was one of the most diverse ever, and honestly, the show was better for it.
Also, the "professional" argument is kinda weak. Most of these finalists have been grinding in holiday parks or back-alley clubs for a decade. Vinnie McKee, who finished 8th, was a holiday park entertainer. These aren't people with record deals; they're people looking for their one big break.
How to Actually Win as a Finalist
If you’re looking at these acts and thinking about auditioning, here is the secret sauce. You need three things:
- The Scale: You can’t just do what you did in the audition. You have to jump out of a plane or bring 50 extra choir members.
- The Likeability: If the British public doesn't want to grab a tea with you, they won't vote for you.
- The Narrative: Why are you here? Are you doing it for your nan? Are you doing it to prove the Post Office wrong?
Harry Moulding had all three. He had the Blackpool charm, the "Magician: Impossible" scale, and the proposal narrative. It was a perfect storm.
Moving Forward with the BGT Legacy
If you're following the journey of these performers, the next big step is the Royal Variety Performance. Harry Moulding will be heading to the Royal Albert Hall in November 2025 to perform for the King. For many of these finalists, that one night is worth more than the £250,000 prize money. It's the stamp of approval that turns a "talent show contestant" into a "household name."
Keep an eye on the social media of acts like The Blackouts and Olly Pearson. Usually, the runners-up end up having more sustainable careers because they don't have the "winner" pressure. Think back to acts like Stavros Flatley or even Susan Boyle—she didn't win her year either.
💡 You might also like: Why The Middle Still Feels Like Home Long After the Heck Family Left Indiana
To stay updated on what the 2025 class is doing, check out the official BGT YouTube channel for their post-show tours. Most of these acts, especially the comedians and magicians, will be hitting the road for UK tours starting in early 2026. Catching them live in a small theater is usually a much better experience than the compressed TV versions anyway.
Actionable Insights for BGT Fans:
- Follow the Runners-up: Historically, acts that place 2nd or 3rd (like The Blackouts or Binita Chetry) often have more freedom to sign diverse contracts than the winners.
- Check Tour Dates Early: Finalists like Joseph Charm and Harry Moulding usually announce UK tour dates within three months of the final.
- Watch the Royal Variety: This is the true test of whether an act can translate their "TV magic" to a prestigious, live stage environment.