Sydnie Christmas makes feelings clear on ITV BGT 'fix' claims as she breaks silence on final row
Sydnie Christmas has hit back at 'fix' claims
ITV
Britain's Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas has spoken out on the claims by some disgruntled ITV viewers that her victory was "fixed" during Sunday's finale.
Christmas found herself at the centre of such claims after being placed as the last finalist to perform on the night as well as facing criticism for her career in theatre prior to the show.
The singer had been heavily favoured by bookmakers before the finale to bag the £250,000 prize pot and a spot on the Royal Variety Performance line-up but it didn't stop critics expressing their dismay at her victory.
As Ant and Dec read aloud the results of the evening, Christmas found herself in the top three alongside magician Jack Rhodes and dancing duo Abigail and Afronita.
It's since been revealed Christmas bagged over a quarter of the entire vote with 27 percent, seeing off runner-up Rhodes with 15.8 percent.
Addressing the votes and subsequent "fix" row post-victory, Christmas has now said: "The public ultimately have to vote, don't they?
Sydnie Christmas won this year's Britain's Got Talent
ITV
"They could have voted for whoever they wanted to win. It wouldn't have mattered if I'd gone first."
Referencing the row, she added to OK!: "I don't know what to say, soul-destroying isn't it?
"It's difficult, it takes it away from how hard the journey was or how rewarding the success is. They just think that, 'Oh, it's obvious it was given to her.' It really wasn't.
"I had to graft. I had to really graft and believe and want."
ITV BGT: The judges were ecstatic to see Sydnie crowned winner
ITV
Christmas added to the publication that she's now focussing her energy on the positive support she received from the fandom rather than the negativity.
The singer had sailed through to the final having impressed in the semi-finals and bagging Amanda Holden's golden buzzer at the audition stage.
And it wasn't just Christmas who caused a stir during Sunday's show as Holden herself also sparked fierce debate on social media.
No stranger to causing controversy with her BGT outfits, Holden took her seat for Sunday's show wearing a very racy dress.
Before long, X was awash with complaints as many accused Holden of wearing too raunchy of an outfit for a "family show".
The BGT judge also came under fire for defending the international array of talent on display this year.
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Sydnie Christmas has publicly responded to ITV BGT 'fix' claims
ITV
Throughout the series this year, some Britain's Got Talent fans have been unimpressed with the number of acts from overseas taking up spots in the competition.
Holden said during Sunday's show following Afronita and Abigail's routine: "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."