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BGT's most complained about moments from ‘tasteless’ drag act to Ofcom moans

02 June 2024 , 08:41
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A winning act was even complained about by fans
A winning act was even complained about by fans

OVER the years Britain's Got Talent has got people talking, but sometimes not for the right reasons.

Since the show kicked off in 2007, furious fans have often threatened to call Ofcom - with the latest series being no different.

Simon Cowell has faced the viewers wrath on BGT eidexiqqdiqzqprw
Simon Cowell has faced the viewers wrath on BGTCredit: ITV
Britain's Got Talent has often been complained about over the years
Britain's Got Talent has often been complained about over the yearsCredit: Rex

Fans have threatened to call Ofcom again after Simon Cowell pushed the Golden Buzzer for a Japanese act.

Viewers were furious after the dance troupe Cyberagent Legit received the coveted buzzer, as they are professional act.

But this isn't the first time Cowell and his show has faced the viewers wrath.

Amanda Holden hits the beach in her New Year's Eve outfit after partyingAmanda Holden hits the beach in her New Year's Eve outfit after partying

Here we take a look at the other times fans have complained to Ofcom about Britain's Got Talent...

Amanda Holden's sexy outfits

This outfit really got BGT fans talking
This outfit really got BGT fans talkingCredit: Splash News

Judge Amanda Holden's risque frocks have certainly caused a stir over the years.

In fact, her sexy dresses have been one of the hot topics when it comes to viewers calling up Ofcom.

In June 2017, Amanda donned arguably her most daring dress of all time - and boy did it make an impression.

The plunging sheer black Julien Macdonald gown - worth a whopping £11,250 - received over 600 Ofcom complaints, making it the most complained about TV moment of that year.

However, Amanda remains defiant towards any kind of backlash about her risky frocks, claiming Britain's Got Talent is "the perfect opportunity to take risks".

Amanda has vowed to keep wearing her sexy outfits
Amanda has vowed to keep wearing her sexy outfitsCredit: Instagram

She previously told The Sun her outfits are so famously controversial they're now monitored before she steps on-stage.

"There's now a whole body of people that knock on my door and come and stare at my chest before we go on air," she explained.

"There's a t*t committee. There are so many brilliant people, they come down, knock on the door and there's the lady who's the producer who said, 'Mandy, it looks great'."

Last year, Amanda hit back at viewers who have moaned about her fashion choices, telling MailOnline: "Everyone talks about my t**s and Bruno Tonioli's are out all the time. No Ofcom complaints about me this year please!"

Amanda Holden strips off to white bikini ahead of return to radio showAmanda Holden strips off to white bikini ahead of return to radio show

Drag act Chantaaaal 

Chantaaaal's Titanic theme performance divided opinion
Chantaaaal's Titanic theme performance divided opinionCredit: Rex

The self-proclaimed French femme fatale initially dressed in a navy blue cloak, before stripping back her outfit to reveal a Titanic theme get up.

The outfit was comprised of a corset shaped like the ships' front, a black and yellow smoke stack on her head, and a back fan that revealed an iceberg and the ocean.

As Chantaaaal sang My Heart With Go On by Celine Dion, the judges - particularly Alesha Dixon - burst into laughter.

While the live audience were won over, viewers at home were horrified that the 1912 disaster – where 1,517 people died – was being mocked for laughs on primetime TV.

Some were so offended, Ofcom recieved 78 complaints for inpropriety about the 'distasteful' audition.

Diversity's BLM performance

Ashley Banjo's dance troupe Diversity performed a powerful routine
Ashley Banjo's dance troupe Diversity performed a powerful routineCredit: ITV

BGT winners Diversity attracted over 24,000 complaints to Ofcom following their Black Lives Matter performance in 2020.

Furious ITV viewers complained in their droves after Ashley Banjo's powerful tribute to the late George Floyd, who tragically died after a white cop kneeled on his neck for over nine minutes.

Ashley opened the piece by reciting a viral poem The Great Realisation by the singer Tomfoolery, which is about the BLM movement and police brutality.

The group were dressed in riot gear and also took the knee partway through the performance, with Ashley saying it was a necessary to highlight the hate he's received since the show.

He tweeted: "So much to say... But I’ll Just let the performance talk. Thousands of messages of Love and support - Thank you.

"For the thousands of messages of hate and ignorance - Thank you. You highlight exactly what needs to change. Sending nothing but love to you all."

Viggo Venn's 2023 BGT win

BGT was hit by hundreds of complaints after Viggo Venn won
BGT was hit by hundreds of complaints after Viggo Venn wonCredit: Rex

Fans furiously complained to Ofcom after comedian Viggo Venn won Britain's Got Talent in 2023.

Over 100 viewers vented their fury to the broadcasting regulator over the outcome - despite it being a public vote.

The Norwegian comedian triumphed over young dancer Lilliana Clifton and teen magician Cillian O'Connor in the final, prompting some fans to slam the show as a "fix".

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom revealed that it received over 116 official complaints shortly after the episode aired.

The complaints were said to be about the winner result, which saw hi-vis-wearing Viggo win a whopping £250,000 and a place on the Royal Variety Show.

Nabil Abdulrashid’s jokes

Britain's Got Talent comic Nabil Abdulrashid sparked thousands of complaints
Britain's Got Talent comic Nabil Abdulrashid sparked thousands of complaintsCredit: Rex Features

BGT was hit with more than 2,000 complaints over comedian Nabil Abdulrashid’s jokes in the 2020 finale.

The Londoner used his stand-up set to goad the angry viewers who complained to TV watchdog Ofcom about his past routines.

He also spoke about police brutality in a routine based around race where he joked that "Winston Churchill was black".

Nabil opened his routine by saying: "They complained because we said black lives matter - thousands of complaints. To be honest I'm shocked that many of them know how to write.

"They sent in thousands of angry letters. Hopefully if I annoy them today they can progress onto words.

"They even wrote complaints about me - that's what upsets me. What did I say to offend anybody?

"You'd think I came out here and said something really inflammatory... like Winston Churchill was black.

"By the way, he was. I can prove it. When was the last time you met a white man called Winston?"

Joanne Kavanagh

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