Britain's Got Talent judge KSI was overcome with emotion during the latest semi-final after a heartfelt spoken-word performance from poet Sonny Green brought him to tears. The 32-year-old star struggled to hold back his emotions after Sonny performed an original poem titled “You’ll Never Be Too Old to Get a Cuddle From Your Dad.”

Written as a letter to his two young sons, the touching piece explored love, vulnerability, and the importance of family connection. The emotional performance ended with Sonny’s sons joining him on stage for a hug, leaving both the audience and judges visibly moved.

Many viewers were surprised to see KSI almost sobbing during the performance. When it came time for the judges’ feedback, he found it difficult to speak through the tears before opening up about his own complicated relationship with his father.

Once he had composed himself, KSI admitted: “Sonny, that just… it really hit me. I know my relationship with my dad isn’t always the best so hearing those words makes me really think about what I need to improve on. You’re great, I know I need to do better as a son. It really hit me.”

The emotional moment resonated across the judging panel. Amanda Holden was also left tearful during the performance, particularly as Sonny recited the lines: “Buy your mum some flowers, open the door open for strangers and do your best to soak up the stress and smile. Even when you ‘ain’t got much left.”

Throughout the poem, Sonny repeated the powerful line: “You’ll never be too old to get a cuddle from your dad.”

He also shared heartfelt advice for his sons, telling them: “Pride comes before a fall, so be humble. But never forget who you are.”

The performance ended with Sonny embracing his two boys in front of the emotional judging table, prompting an outpouring of praise from the panel.

Alesha Dixon told the poet that his words had “affected her deeply,” while Amanda revealed she planned to frame the poem for her teenage daughter’s bedroom wall.

Meanwhile, Simon Cowell praised the silence and emotion inside the theatre, saying: “You could hear a pin drop. Genuinely. I could see how emotional you were getting. I’m a dad and Sonny, all I can say is, you are gold.”

Simon then pressed the coveted Golden Buzzer, sending Sonny directly through to the 2026 Britain’s Got Talent final.

The emotional exchange also shone a spotlight on KSI’s previously discussed family struggles. The entertainer — whose full name is Olajide Olayinka Williams ‘JJ’ Olatunji — previously explored his upbringing in the 2023 documentary KSI: In Real Life, where he spoke candidly alongside his father about their distant relationship. KSI also has a younger brother Deji, who is also a social media star.

During the documentary, KSI admitted: “I don’t think you were that loving.” He added: “Your dad never hugged you, and then you hardly ever hugged us.”

The YouTube star also questioned why his father had physically disciplined him as a child. While acknowledging the sacrifices his parents made for him — including paying for private school — KSI explained that what he wanted most growing up was emotional closeness and affection.

Reflecting further in an interview with The Standard, KSI said: “My [parents] were always just working or they were dropping me off in school and picking me up and we’d just eat and then I’d be doing homework. We never really talked, and I was desperate to talk.”

Although KSI and his father eventually shared a hug during the documentary, he later admitted the moment felt unfamiliar.

“It felt so weird,” he confessed. “My dad is very standoffish, so to get a hug like that, it was really a moment.”