Britain's Got Talent fans astonished as singer from forgotten girl band opens semi-final show

fans were stunned to learn the opening performer of first semi final show of the 2025 season was once in a hit girl band. The long-running series kicked off with a show stopping performance from singer Karis Anderson - who is currently leading the cast of the hit West End musical Tina.

The 35-year-old singer takes on the role of iconic singer in the musical - which chronicles the life and career of the Goldeneye singer who passed away at the age of 83 in 2023. Britain's Got Talent viewers were treated to a dazzling performance from Karis, who belted out the 1966 Ike & Tina Turner singer River Deep Mountain High.

While many were blown away by Karis's powerful vocals alone - many others were gobsmacked when they realised they recognised the singer for her career away from the West End. That's because the singer is a member of girl band Stooshe - which she performed in alongside Alexandra Buggs and Courtney Rumbold.

The trio formed their band in 2010 after answering a call for auditions, and signed a record deal with Warner Music in August 2011. They went on to release the hit singles Slip, Love Me and the Number 3 hit Black Heart - while their debut album, London with the Lights On, was released in 2013 and reached number 8 on the charts.

Those tuning in to watch BGT on Saturday night were stunned by Karis's powerhouse vocals - and wished that they could vote for her to win the contest. One wrote on X: "Karis Anderson singing Tina Turner should win Britain's Got Talent."

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While another typed: "The amazingly fabulous Tina Musical to start!" Fans of Stooshe may be disappointed that the group have not released any music since 2016 - and do not appear to have any plans to make any more tracks.

Last year, the band posted on their official to confirm they have no plans to release music. Alexandra from the band wrote: "Hey loves, I’m sorry to say we aren’t announcing new music before I get your hopes up.

“Your girls a mumma (been for a couple years now lol) and I am starting a new business within the parent and baby space.”

Saturday night saw Scottish singer Vinnie Mckee and Swiss dance troupe The Blackouts make it through to the grand final. Vinnie won the votes of the viewing public to make his way to the final.

While The Blackouts were automatically sent through after judge gifted them the first ever golden buzzer of the live semi final shows. For the 2025 season there has been a rule change where one judge is nominated each episode and granted the power to slap the golden buzzer and grant an act finalist status.

After being wowed by the team - who were delayed to the stage by technical issues - Amanda hit the buzzer and they went through. However, the rule change has sparked a mixed response from fans - with many fearing the final will be overfilled with the judges favourites rather than viewer favourites.

And many watching at home found the live studio audience unbearable as they screamed at Amanda to hit the gold buzzer after every performance - until The Blackouts were given the reward. One complained on X: "the golden buzzer in the semi finals already causing havoc cause the audience won’t shut up #bgt." And another complained: "Will this audience shut up #BGT."

Many viewers hit out over the decision to introduce a golden buzzer during the live semi final rounds. One wrote: "#BGT so basically the judges may as well ljust pick the finalists and forget about the semis ... what a joke."

Another typed: "A live show golden buzzer is completely unnecessary. What if she doesn’t press it at all? #BGT." And another raged: "#BGT in other words it's so the judges can fix it!"

Others took to social media to blast the format of multiple semi final shows stretched over more than a month. One complained, writing: "So every Saturday for the next 6 weeks, is the Semi Final episodes #BGT."

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