Britain’s Got Talent is currently embroiled in a ‘fake acts’ scandal, with sources claiming ITV bosses “created acts from scratch” to draw in viewers.
Worse still, alleged insiders have claimed that the mysterious Witch from 2022 was actually created to boost audience figures, with their identity remaining a mystery which brought fans coming back for more. The Witch made it all the way through to the live finals, against genuine contestants hoping for their shot at fame.
According to The Sun, 2023 act the Scary Clown was also created by bosses. Sources claim non-disclosure agreements were written up to keep the plans secret, but the publication claims to have seen scripts with lines for the judges and musical suggestions for the acts.
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One source told the publication: “Scouting for talent on shows is nothing new but to actually be creating acts out of thin air is ridiculous. The Witch went down so well bosses wanted to recreate the hype. They thought playing on Simon’s clown phobia would be ideal so pulled ideas together.
(Image: ITV)
“After auditioning potentials they pitched the idea to freelance actor Andrew Fletcher who spent weeks perfecting a scary clown act.”
Sources claimed that singing sensation The Batman is, however, a genuine contestant – though it is possible bosses developed other auditions for the 2024 season. The so-called insider suggested the public might feel “lied to” if acts are allowed to continue being “faked”.
But BGT issued a statement which read: “Contestants all have their own established talents. We support the production of their performance to help make it the best it can be for our stage.”
(Image: ITV)
It comes after viewers fumed over a “fix”, as one star who got the coveted Golden Buzzer was revealed to be a pop star who had already worked with music mogul Simon Cowell. Taryn Charles got a standing ovation on-stage after her Aretha Franklin cover.
But the special needs educator actually took part in another ITV singing show some years prior, trying her luck on Starstruck – hosted by Olly Murs and judged by Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert and Beverley Knight. She appeared under her other name Taryn McMahon on the short-lived programme, singing a Whitney Houston track.
(Image: ITV)
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One X user fumed: “Taryn Charles is already a professional singer, so you would expect her to have a good voice. Not fair on all the amateurs.” As someone else agreed: “I remember Taryn from Starstruck!”
Daily Star has contacted ITV and BGT representatives for comment.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
