The ITV show Britain’s Got Talent has received more than 1,000 complaints to Ofcom. This came after the dance troupe ‘Diversity’ performed a routine inspired by Black Lives Matter. The routine narrated the killing of George Floyd back in May. The show has been criticised for taking an overtly political stance.
1,121 grievances were lodged with Ofcom following the show. A source at Ofcom has said ‘I can confirm that we have received 1,121 complaints for Britain’s Got Talent on 5 September, most of which were in relation to the Diversity performance. We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate’.
‘Diversity’ who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 when they defeated Susan Boyle in the final, recited a viral poem named ‘The Great Realisation’ by the singer Tomfoolery which was about the BLM movement and police brutality. During this performance, the troupe illustrated the death of George Floyd by Ashley Banjo lying on the floor with a fellow member placing a hand over Banjo’s throat as he lay on the ground to the song I Can’t Breathe.
Following the performance, Ashley Banjo said: ‘This performance is extremely special to me and the rest of Diversity. 2020 has been an incredible moment in history for both positive and negative reasons. We wanted to use the platform we’ve been given to make our voices heard, express how the events of this year have made us feel, and think about how we might look back on them in the future… We call it hindsight 2020’.
Some viewers took to social media to vent anger at the performance, which they felt was a political statement and not suitable for a family show. One Twitter user @WhiteRo75457778 said “I have every respect for Ashley Banjo and Diversity however seriously not impressed with the BLM Routine, BGT is supposed to be about talent ! Why oh why did BLM have to be showcasesed?? Turned off, won’t be watching again !!!”.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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