ITV viewers claimed there was a “mistake” with the first live show of the long-running competition
ITV viewers claimed there was a “mistake” with the first live show of the long-running competition
Britain’s Got Talent fans have been left divided over a new major change to the programme. The live shows kicked off tonight on ITV1, with a number of hopeful contestants battling it out for a place in the final.
For the first time ever, the semi-finals will air every Saturday night over five weekends instead of consecutively over one week. This means that the final will now take place on Saturday, May 31. If that change to the show’s format wasn’t enough, ITV have also announced that the Golden Buzzer will be back for the live shows.
In previous years, the powerful buzzer is used in the audition process which sends contestants straight through to the finals. However, this year the Golden Buzzer will also make an appearance during the live shows. Each judge and Ant and Dec will be given the chance to use the buzzer on Saturday night.
In a statement, ITV said: “In each semi-final, either one of the judges or Ant and Dec will be given control of the golden buzzer, and as soon as they see a performance worthy of a place in the final, they will have just one opportunity to press it.”
They continued: “That act will be granted a one-way ticket to the final, along with one other act from that night who will be voted in by the public.”
Tonight’s episode, Saturday, April 26, saw the likes of dinosaur rock band Heavysaurs, singers Vinnie McKee and Linda Mudzenda as well as magician Teddy Magic take to the stage.
However, it was down to Amanda who got the golden buzzer, and she gifted it to dance group The Blackouts.
While viewers agreed with Amanda’s decision, it was one they questioned the logistics of. Deb said: “So we can’t vote until we’ve seen all the acts, but a golden buzzer can be given before they’ve seen all the acts”.
Another fan added: “This is why I am annoyed they took the power out of the people’s hands with this golden buzzer, they can put through someone who could conceivably be 5th or 6th in the public vote and the person in 2nd place gets shafted.”
Laura wrote: “Next time they do golden buzzer surely they will know they made a mistake pressing it half way through instead of at the end.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, Lauren added: “This golden buzzer in the life shows should not be done until the end of the show coz doesn’t seem fair.”
Daz said: “Why not have the golden buzzer after the last act”. Rob added: “If they are so good why give them the golden buzzer, it makes no sense, they would go through anyways.”
You can see full the list of semi-finalists here.
