Britain’s Got Talent fans only just realise Golden Buzzer act had already reached a final

Britain’s Got Talent viewers were left stunned by one of the opening episode’s standout performances — and many only later realised the Golden Buzzer act was already a familiar face from another version of the show.

The ITV talent competition returned on Saturday, February 21, 2026, for its 19th series, with thousands of hopefuls competing for the £250,000 prize and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.

This year, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI make up the judging panel, with KSI replacing Bruno Tonioli.

As usual, contestants must secure at least three judges’ yes votes to continue. However, a Golden Buzzer can send an act directly through to the semi-finals.

The first Golden Buzzer of the new series went to wheelchair aerialist Paul Nunnari, whose extraordinary routine left the judges and audience stunned.

Paul Nunnari’s breathtaking aerial performance

Paul took to the stage in his wheelchair and climbed a pair of silk ropes, secured to the apparatus as he was lifted almost as high as the rafters.

The performance then became even more daring when a woman joined him and began swinging around the silks from below, causing Paul to spin through the air.

For the next part of the routine, Paul placed his head through a loop and continued rotating while attached to the silks by his neck.

The audience erupted when the performance ended.

Simon Cowell was clearly impressed, telling Paul, “That’s actually one of the most incredible things,” before reaching for the Golden Buzzer.

The decision sent Paul straight through and marked one of the biggest moments of the opening episode.

Fans soon realised Paul had done it before

While many viewers were seeing Paul for the first time, others quickly recognised him.

Paul had previously competed on Australia’s Got Talent, where he reached the final in 2013 performing the same aerial act.

One viewer on X, formerly known as Twitter, said they remembered seeing Paul in his wheelchair before, adding that he had previously dressed as Superman during his appearance on the Australian version of the show.

Paul’s history in talent competitions is not his only achievement.

Paul is an accomplished Paralympic athlete

Paul is also a disabled track and field athlete who has represented Australia at three consecutive Paralympic Games and competed at three IPC Paralympic World Championships.

In 2018, he added another remarkable achievement to his record when he set a Guinness World Record for the most 360-degree rope rotations in a wheelchair in one minute.

He completed 77 spins during the record-breaking attempt.

BGT viewers praise the Golden Buzzer

Paul’s performance quickly sparked an enthusiastic reaction from Britain’s Got Talent viewers, with many praising both his skill and determination.

One viewer described him as “living proof that anything is possible” and called the audition one of the show’s best Golden Buzzer moments.

Another wrote that Paul’s performance was “INCREDIBLE” and said Simon’s Golden Buzzer was “very well deserved.”

A third fan said Paul had done the “IMPOSSIBLE”, describing the performance as an experience that left them in awe.

Another viewer was equally enthusiastic, saying they were delighted Paul had received the Golden Buzzer and praising his talent and what he had achieved while using a wheelchair.

With his place in the semi-finals now secured, Paul has already made a strong impression on the new series — while giving Britain’s Got Talent fans a performance that many clearly won’t forget.