Richard Jones, who claimed victory on Britain's Got Talent in 2016, has spoken out about accusations that the programme's judging panel has become excessively lenient in recent years.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, the magician acknowledged that viewership figures were likely stronger during the show's earlier, more ruthless era of critiques.
However, he defended the shift towards a more encouraging approach, noting that harsh judgements came "at a cost of hurting many reputations."
"I think the judges do a wonderful job of being encouraging," Mr Jones told GB News. "It takes an immense amount of courage to stand on that stage, and I believe the positive atmosphere helps performers give their very best."
Richard Jones claimed victory on Britain's Got Talent in 2016
|ITV
He described the programme's evolution towards being more supportive as "a lovely thing for the contestants."
Former winner Lance Corporal Jones, who is now a leading Awards Host for corporate events, won the nation's hearts as the soldier who was also a part-time magician.
Despite shifting television viewing habits across the nation, Mr Jones remains optimistic about the talent competition's future prospects.
The former winner believes the programme holds a unique position in British culture, comparing its ability to bring diverse audiences together to that of major sporting occasions.
Lance Corporal Jones delivered a memorable performance a decade ago on the ITV show
|ITV
"It's a British institution and I think it has plenty of life left in it," he stated.
Mr Jones emphasised the show's capacity to connect viewers from various backgrounds and different parts of the world, describing it as "uniquely heartwarming and uniting."
He pointed to the variety format's enduring appeal, suggesting that a programme celebrating performers from all walks of life continues to resonate with audiences nationwide.
When asked about allegations that talent competitions are "fixed" or "staged," Mr Jones firmly rejected such claims based on his own participation.
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Former BGT winner Richard Jones shares his take on claims the judges have 'softened' in recent years
|ITV
The 2016 champion insisted that everything viewers witness on screen is authentic, from the anxiety performers experience to their moments of elation.
"From my own experience, the show is very real," he said. "The emotions you see on screen, the nerves, the joy, and the surprises are all genuine."
Mr Jones praised the behind-the-scenes team for their commitment to fairness, stating that "the production team works incredibly hard to give everyone a fair chance to shine."
His comments come amid ongoing public scepticism about the authenticity of reality television formats, with various programmes facing similar accusations over the years.
A decade after his triumph, Mr Jones revealed that his Britain's Got Talent victory continues to shape conversations with fans at his performances.
"At almost every show someone wants to ask questions about BGT!" he said. "It's an honour when people come up to me to chat about my win or my background as it's nice to know people are so interested."
The magician described hearing about the positive impact his performances have had on audience members as "one of the most rewarding parts of what I do."
Reflecting on how the competition altered his trajectory, Mr Jones said winning "completely transformed my life in ways I could have never imagined."