Stacey Solomon’s long-awaited debut as a guest judge on Britain’s Got Talent has sparked a fierce reaction from viewers — with some branding her appearance “unbearable” just moments into the episode.
Stepping in for Simon Cowell during Saturday night’s show, the 36-year-old TV favourite — who first rose to fame on The X Factor in 2009 — found herself at the centre of a social media storm almost instantly.
As the episode aired, reactions flooded in online. One viewer bluntly wrote that they “can’t take to Stacey at all,” while another questioned the entire panel, asking if there had “ever been a less talented judging panel.” A harsher comment even compared her unfavourably to fellow judges, suggesting that just when viewers thought Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden were unbearable, “Dagenham Stacey joins the panel.”
Despite the wave of criticism, not everyone agreed. Some fans rushed to defend her, with one praising that they were “loving Stacey as judge” and felt she was “really settling in well.”
On screen, Stacey brought her trademark humour and energy — particularly during a performance by a male dance group that clearly caught her attention. She laughed, cheered, and admitted she “thoroughly enjoyed it,” while even playfully calling out one dancer, Antonio, for repeatedly sticking his tongue out during the routine.
She joked that it might be “a little bit too much,” even demonstrating the move herself in a light-hearted exchange that showed her relaxed and cheeky judging style.
Speaking ahead of the broadcast, Stacey had already shared how meaningful the opportunity was to her. She explained that returning to a talent show setting felt like a “full circle moment,” saying she could deeply connect with contestants because she knows how difficult it is to step onto that stage.
She admitted she loved the experience, describing it as “a lot of fun” and saying she felt privileged to be part of a show that had once given her the same opportunity. Stacey reflected that her entire career began thanks to shows like The X Factor, adding that talent competitions remain “really close to my heart.”
In a candid moment, she also confessed that performing still scares her, despite her success, revealing that she finds it “really scary” to step back into that spotlight.
While the backlash may have been loud, Stacey’s debut has clearly divided opinion — with her natural charm winning some viewers over, even as others remain unconvinced.
