Entertainment UK

BGT Ofcom complaints surge to 7,581 as Jordan Banjo breaks down over abuse

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Complaints to regulator Ofcom about Saturday night’s Britain’s Got Talent semi-final have risen to 7,581.

The latest figure comes after Diversity member Jordan Banjo, whose brother Ashley helped choreograph the Black Lives Matter inspired routine, broke down as he shared the horrendous abuse his dance troupe have received.

On Saturday night, Ashley, Jordan and their bandmates gave a thought-provoking interpretation of some of the biggest news events of the year, including the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd by police officers in America.

The performance sparked an huge outpouring of response on social media with many praising the provocative routine while others slammed the ITV entertainment show for becoming too ‘overtly politicised’.

A figure dressed as a police officer kneels on Ashley Banjo during the performance

Ashley Banjo and his dance troupe took the knee during the performance

On Monday, it was revealed that 1,121 viewers had complained to regulator Ofcom about the episode with that number rising to 2,966 by Tuesday.

Today an Ofcom spokesperson confirmed the figure had totalled 7,581.

An Ofcom spokesperson said they were assessing if the talent show had broken broadcasting rules, adding they are yet to decide whether to launch an investigation.


Jordan Banjo spoke about the harsh reaction he and his fellow dancers have received during an appearance on Kiss FM on Wednesday morning where he became very emotional.

He began: “Of course you get some critiques but normally it’s focused on the dance.

“But this one was different, it was really important, it was special to us. We are all about positivity and love and we got so much positivity and love back from this one.

“But we also got bombarded with messages and articles of horrible stuff about us, about our families, about how even now Diversity not diverse enough because there’s only five white people in it.”


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Jordan’s voice then began to crack as he became overwhelmed with emotion: “I can’t speak for anyone else it’s sad, it’s sad, genuinely.

“I feel really anxious and worried saying something like black lives matter when that’s all we want man, love and positivity.

“No one is saying only black lives matter, as a son and as a dad, I look at Pel [Perri] and I just.. it’s all positivity and love, let’s keep it moving.”

A chocked up Jordan then had to cut short his link as he became too upset to speak.

Diversity performed a breathtaking performance on tonight’s BGT

Ashley Banjo, who choreographed the routine to poem The Great Realisation by Tomfoolery, has fiercely defended the performance across social media in the last few days.

The star, who is standing in for Simon Cowell as judge, said that the ‘racist’ trolls do not represent the British public.

Ashley, 31, admitted he has received a barrage of abuse since the dance was aired, but said it only encouraged his belief that he was right to add the thought-provoking content as it has started a much needed conversation.

Fellow judge David Walliams has also shown his support to Ashley and his Diversity bandmates by retweeting and liking the positive messages.

David Walliams gave his support to Ashley and the members of Diversity

David shared Ashley’s post with his own followers that read: “I’m so grateful and overwhelmed by all of the love and support but also by the amount of conversation this performance has thrown up. 2020 has been such a historical year. One day we will look back and realise it was the start of real change…”

A spokesperson for ITV told the Mirror: “Diversity’s performance offered their take on the extraordinary events of 2020 opening up important topics of conversation. The show was complied for a family audience.”

It’s not the first time Britain’s Got Talent has been struck by a barrage of viewer complaints.

Amanda Holden’s wardrobe choices on BGT have sparked viewer complaints in the past

A number of Amanda Holden’s risqué outfits have caused fans to voice their disapproval over the years.

The plunging Julien Macdonald number she donned in 2017 became the most complained TV moment of the year.

While in 2015, more than 1000 viewers complained over the act Jules and Matisse.

Viewers also voice their anger at the act Jules and Matisse

There was uproar when it was revealed dog trainer Jules O’Dwyer used a lookalike dog in her winning routine.

TV boss Peter Fincham later admitted the show should have made it clearer that a stunt double dog was used in the winning sketch.



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