‘What a set up!’ moan BGT fans who claim show was ‘fixed’ despite Simon Cowell’s shock
BRITAIN’S Got Talent fans claim the show is “fixed”’ and have moaned “what a set up”, following an audition on the show at the weekend.
It came after singer Max Fox was given the chance to audition after he begged head judge Simon Cowell to let him get up on stage after he shouted to him from his seat in the audience.
It all started when Max jumped up during a break in auditions and attracted Simon’s attention.
The music mogul looked shocked as he was approached by the plucky heckler.
Producers swore to Simon it wasn’t a set up and Max was allowed to sing.
But despite Simon’s surprised reaction, some fans weren’t buying it.
Taking to Reddit, one posted: “I know that in episode 8 Simon went to great lengths about the fact that Max was not a set up.
“But somebody getting up from the audience and going on to get a Golden Buzzer seems too contrived or am I being too cynical?”
This one added: “Then I’m sorry but you’re wrong, that was the most painfully setup thing I’ve seen on that show, and that’s saying something.”
This fan had a mixed reaction: “I’ve actually been a producer for several decades – so my take on this is that probably Simon and the panel did not know about this, but the production team had to.
“Any thing like this needs rehearsal and production on the sound/mix.
“That level of production could not be spontaneous.”
POWERFUL PERFORMANCE
Despite the debate on how genuine is spontaneous audition was, Max went onto to sing a powerful performance of Frank Sinatra’s My Way.
Speaking on stage he said: “I turned around to a couple of ladies behind and they said give it a chance and do it, so I did.”
He performed the classic hit – much to the joy of the audience and the judges.
But with the crowd demanding a Golden Buzzer moment, it was Amanda Holden who obliged.
She hit the button – despite not having one left – and delighted Max in the process.
As she joined him on stage, she said: “I feel like I’m in a movie.”
PRAISE FROM THE JUDGES
Back on the panel, Amanda said: “Just to say I’ve already pressed my Golden Buzzer so I guess I’m in a lot of trouble because that’s my second Golden Buzzer.”
Max told her: “I just can’t believe it. It’s the greatest day of my life.”
But despite everything, Simon still didn’t believe it wasn’t a set up.
Walking up on stage to join Max he said: “You swear that wasn’t a set up?”
“I promise, I promise. I’ve even got my audience ticket,” Max replied and when he showed it to Simon, the mogul said: “Chris almighty.”
He added: “Well good for you. The audience just went nuts. Good for you, no really. You fooled me.”
Max has won his place into the next round with the live shows beginning next Saturday.
BGT's Best Golden Buzzer Moments
BGT have handed out many Golden Buzzer's over the years, can you remember some of the most famous
- Loren Allred – Loren Allred, 32, from Brooklyn, New York jetted to London to audition after recording the vocals for The Greatest Showman. The stunning singer got a standing ovation and a Golden Buzzer from the judges as she delivered a stirring rendition of Never Enough from the popular film. Loren came out on stage and revealed to the judges they would have heard her voice many times before that moment. “I was hired to record the vocals for The Greatest Showman as a guide for the actors to know how to sing the songs,” she explained. Loren then revealed actress Rebecca Ferguson was so stunned by her singing that she decided to let her vocals be heard in the movie. “So she lip-synced,” Loren said.
- Chicken Shed Theatre Company – Comprised of individuals aged between 5 and 37, the group was set up to welcome anyone irrespective of background to get up on stage and perform and fulfil their dream. Chicken Shed prides itself on accepting anyone and does not hold auditions to make the group a safe and inclusive space. The group wowed as they performed Wonder by Naughty Boy featuring Emeli Sande. It meant that Alesha wasted no time as she decided to hit her golden buzzer for the young performers. She told them it was her “honour” to reward their inclusiveness with her golden buzzer.
- The Dancing Granny – Granny Paddy Jones and her professional partner Niko Espinosa first hit headlines when they won the Spanish talent show Tú sí que vales in 2009, before going on to appear on Britain’s Got Talent in 2014 where they came ninth. Amanda Holden was so impressed with Paddy that she gave her the Golden Buzzer, which sent them straight through to the semi-finals. But things took a worrying turn when Paddy cracked a rib while rehearsing a new move and her place on the show was under doubt. She was given the all-clear to perform in the end but didn’t quite live up to expectations.
- Bars and Melody – They will forever be remembered for their anti-bullying song on the talent show. Bars and Melody were first seen on the 2014 series of Britain’s Got Talent, getting shuttled into the semi-finals when Simon Cowell pressed his Golden Buzzer. They made it to the final thanks to a performance of I’ll Be Missing You but lost out on the crown to Collabro. These days Charlie Lenehan – known as Melody – is covered in tattoos, with inkings on his neck, arms and chest. But he is as close as ever to co-star Leondre Devries – who is Bars – with the pair seen enjoying themselves in exotic locations all over the world.