Amanda Holden criticised as she defends diversity of ITV BGT finale line-up: 'Not a global show!'
Amanda Holden was slammed for claiming it was a global show
ITV
Frustrated Britain's Got Talent fans were left disgruntled by Amanda Holden during Sunday night's final after she defended the diversity of the acts across the series.
This year acts such as Afronita and Abigail, Ssaulabi Performance Troupe, Haribow and Innocent Masuku all made it to the final of the series, coming from across the globe to perform.
The Ssaulabi Performance Troupe are a Taekwondo group from South Korea, while the double-dutch group Haribow are from Japan.
Singer Masuku, who is now based in London, is originally from South Africa and is a former studio member of the Cape Town opera.
Afronita and Abigail came from Ghana and left the judges stunned with their dance routines and the adorable chemistry the pair had between them.
While the judges were thrilled the show was getting recognition worldwide, it also received criticism from viewers for featuring more international acts, having more than ever before.
Haribow came from Japan to compete on Britain's Got Talent
ITV
Their disdain came to a point where some threatened to boycott the show and call Ofcom as they claimed the ITV programme had "morphed into an international show".
Holden - who has been on the receiving end of criticism this year due to her controversial outfits - defended the show's diversity after watching Afronita and Abigail perform.
After commenting on their energetic routine, she expressed: "I am in awe of both of you. Thank you so much for coming all this way. This is a global show and we welcome everybody on it and you were amazing."
While acknowledging their talent, some fans weren't happy with Holden and took to their X account to suggest that the show be renamed "The Globe's Got Talent."
Ssaulabi Performance Troupe are from South Korea
ITV
One irritated viewer said: "If #BGT is a 'global show' as Amanda has just claimed, then maybe change the name to ‘The Globe’s Got Talent'."
"#BGT No Amanda, it's called Britain's Got Talent! If you want it Global call it The World's Got Talent," another suggested before a third added: "Heard Amanda say last night this show is global so why isn't it called The Globes Got Talent?"
"No Amanda the show is NOT global. It's BRITAIN's Got Talent," a fourth fumed, as another penned: "If its a 'global competition' Amanda, why's it call BRITAIN'S Got Talent? #BGT". (sic)
The annoyance from viewers didn't begin with Holden, as it seems the subject of international acts has been a topic of conversation for viewers for a while.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Jeremy Clarkson forced to reject teens looking for jobs at farm as he highlights flaw with younger generation
- Amanda Abbington blasts 'nasty' Giovanni Pernice as she speaks out amid 'abuse' claims and BBC apology plea
- ITV BGT final 'fix' row erupts as fans blast Sydnie Christmas win over 'professional' background: 'How is this fair!'
Now based in London, Innocent is originally from South Africa
ITV
Many claimed on their X account that they believed the show should be for British people because of its name, leaving one user to write: "Britain's Got Talent seems to have morphed from Britain's Got Talent into an international variety show.
"If someone lives in the UK but is from elsewhere, then obviously I get that they may audition, but what on earth is the point of acts that fly in especially to audition?" (sic)
The complaints of international acts come as many also claimed that the winner - Sydnie Christmas - was "fixed" to win the series from the beginning as they unearthed her previous background of theatre work.