Amanda Holden defends Diversity after BGT dance sparks 15,500 Ofcom complaints

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden has broken her silence on Diversity’s politically-charges dance routine, which aired on the ITV talent show on the first semi-finals programme.

The 49-year-old television star has revealed that BGT has received “hundreds of thousands” of positive comments for Diversity’s Black Lives Matter performance, despite the 15,500 Ofcom complaints.

Amanda, who is head judge while Simon Cowell recovers from his back injury, said she backs Diversity troupe leader Ashley Banjo “100 per cent” following the huge public backlash against his performance.

The routine showed Ashley, who is currently filling in as BGT judge while Simon is off, being knelt on by a man dressed as a police office, portraying the death of George Floyd in America.

Amanda Holden has broken her silence on Diversity’s politically-charge dance routine which has sparked over 15,500 complaints

Speaking to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain on Monday, the Heart FM radio presenter said: “It is extraordinary. I think the number of negative complaints means this conversation is right and needs to happen.

“What hasn’t been reported is the positive response – hundreds of thousands of them.

“We stand by them and stand by Ashley Banjo 100 per cent.”

Earlier in the show, Piers told viewers who objected to the dance to “wake up or stop watching Good Morning Britain”.

Amanda said that the show has received “hundreds of thousands” of support messages following Diversity’s routine (Image: ITV)

The outspoken host, 55, said: “If you can’t handle that without feeling the need to never watch BGT again or to complain to Ofcom, there’s something wrong with you. You, you’re the problem. You’re part of the problem.

“By the way, if you don’t like me saying this, then don’t watch us either.

“Don’t watch Good Morning Britain. Because I agree with Ashley Banjo and Diversity and if you can’t handle it Britain, wake up.”

Ashley, 31, revealed earlier this week that he had received a barrage of abuse over the performance.

Amanda is currently head judge on BGT as Simon Cowell takes some time off to recover from his back injury (Image: ITV)

The number of complaints has soared over the week after Ashley led the dance troupe for the performance.

Diversity’s powerful performance is now the second-most complained about TV moment in a decade.

The first is Roxanne Pallett’s Celebrity Big Brother “punchgate” drama with former Corrie star Ryan Thomas with 25,327 complaints and Kim Woodburn’s interview on Loose Women comes third with 7,912 complaints.

Britain’s Got Talent continues on ITV this Saturday at 8pm

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk

Stacey Solomon pranked by Joe Swash as he blindfolds her for date night

Viewers outraged that Loose Women 'gave Ivana Trump airtime' in 'painful' chat