Britain’s Got Talent outrages – from Amanda Holden’s ‘topless’ dress to Simon Cowell kissing star’s bum
BRITAIN’S Got Talent has gifted us some of the most magical moments in television history – but it hasn’t been without its controversies too.
From the acts that people said had already had huge fame elsewhere to the dress that saw Amanda Holden reported to the TV watchdog, we take a look the times it sparked outrage from the viewing public…
Amanda’s ‘topless’ dress
Where better to start than with the dress that left some viewers reaching for the smelling salts – and others covering their children’s eyes.
The trouble was sparked by a gown that some said made Amanda look “topless” with a nude panel at the top and a spider web covering her boob.
But the 49-year-old star laughed off the controversy, telling The Sun: “My t*ts seem to become the show’s biggest talking point every year. We’ve had plenty of complaints apparently, but none from home, let me tell you.”
Alesha buzzes for her ‘mate’
Britain’s Got Talent fans cried ‘fix’ in 2018 when she pressed the Golden Buzzer for former Arful Dodger star Lifford Shillingford.
Because the pair had admitted they knew each other, Twitter was ablaze with the likes of: “Mates with one of the judges. FIX!!!!!!”
He later said their paths had indeed crossed when Alesha was in Mis-Teeq, but insisted: “We had a 30-second conversation in 2001 in Ayia Napa.”
‘Already famous’ performers
Last year saw amazing young dancer Akshat Singh win Ant and Dec’s Golden Buzzer – but many thought they recognised him.
That’s because he’d been on India’s Got Talent, the Indian version of Strictly, and had even performed on Ellen DeGeneres’ chat show in America.
One viewer fumed: “What a waste of Ant and Decs Golden Buzzer. A movie star etc saw him do same routine on Ellen last year. As usual the seem to think the great viewing public are dim and can’t spot a plant act.”
Britain’s Got Talent won by non-Brits
Back in 2003, Britain’s Got Talent was won by an act from Hungary, raising questions about whether the show should change its name.
Shadow theatre troupe clinched the top spot, beating young comedian Jack Carroll.
But Simon Cowell had a neat answer for critics, insisting “I see it as a testament to how we are as a country. We want everyone to do well, no matter where they are from. It’s a positive not a negative.”
Terrified Amanda’s F-bomb
Last year, Amanda was forced to say sorry for yelling the F word during a terrifying act on one of the live shows – with 56 people complaining to Ofcom about her cursing.
Scared senseless by The Haunting, she yelled out: “F***!” after being confronted by what she was told was the ghost of an 11-year-old child.
She later said sorry, explaining: “I really want to apologise for saying a terrible word. I know my kids are watching so I apologise for that. I can honestly say I feel terrified.”
Not one to miss a cheeky dig, Simon added of her screaming: “It was like being next door to you on your honeymoon night.”
Simon kisses Amanda’s bum
Simon took a 71-year-old’s rendition of Kiss My Ass literally – leaning over a planting a smacker on his co-host’s rear.
He then told her: “I kissed your ass. Did you like that?” She expertly dodged the question, replying: “It was a first.”
However, it was a first some deeply disapproved of.
One member of the National Association of Headteachers described the episode as “scenes no mum or dad with an ounce of morality would want their child to see”.