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Britain’s Got Talent crowned its 2025 winner on Saturday night, but the historic final didn’t quite conjure up the numbers ITV was hoping for. Despite an impressive magic act from champion Harry Moulding, the live final drew the lowest viewership in the show's 17-year history.
After a drawn-out 14-week series, extended this year with a new weekly Saturday night format, magician Harry Moulding emerged victorious, walking away with the coveted £250,000 cash prize and a performance slot at the prestigious Royal Variety Performance. His emotionally charged illusion-filled routine left the judges stunned and earned him widespread praise from fans across social media.
But while the magic was strong on stage, the audience numbers told a different story.
Only 4.1 million viewers tuned in live to watch the grand finale, a sharp drop of over one million compared to last year’s 5.2 million. Even with a late boost to a peak of 4.8 million viewers during the final announcement, the 2025 finale marks the show’s lowest ratings since it began in 2007.
Industry insiders suggest several factors could be behind the slump. The new weekly airing format, stretching the series out over more than three months, may have contributed to viewer fatigue. Some fans took to social media to express frustration at the slower pace and less engaging weekly episodes compared to the traditional condensed live finals week format.
Others have blamed increased competition from streaming platforms and a shift in viewing habits, with many opting to watch clips online rather than sit through full-length broadcasts. And while Harry Moulding’s performance was hailed as “one of the best magic acts ever seen on the show,” some viewers admitted they hadn’t kept up with this year’s lineup of contestants.
Still, there was plenty of positivity for the 2025 champion. Social media lit up with messages of support for Moulding, with fans calling his act “mind-blowing,” “beautifully emotional,” and “worthy of the Vegas stage.”
ITV has not yet commented on whether the ratings will affect the show’s future format, but with declining live audiences and changing viewer habits, a rethink for 2026 may be on the cards.
In the meantime, Harry Moulding takes his place in BGT history, not just as the newest winner, but as the magician who brought magic to the stage, even if the audience was smaller than ever before.
