UK'S GOT TALENT?
BGT viewers threaten to call Ofcom over lack of UK talent with finals week dominated by foreign acts
Simon Cowell has defended the influx of international acts
WITH half the acts so far through to the Britain’s Got Talent final coming from outside the UK, fans are scratching their heads over the lack of homegrown stars.
Sunday’s main event will see performers from Japan, South Africa and South Korea.
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And more foreign acts are likely to make it too as, at the time of writing, two golden buzzer acts — both Japanese — are still to come.
It has resulted in some viewers threatening to call regulator Ofcom to report a “violation of the Trade Descriptions Act”.
One ranted: “I think it should be renamed World’s Got Talent with all the foreign acts.
"It’s ridiculous and shouldn’t be allowed.”
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A second questioned: “Why is it still called ‘Britain’s’ got talent?
"Time to revamp rules or rename the show!”
A third remarked: “BGT should be renamed BFT — Britain Found Talent — or BITFOC — Britain Invited Talent From Other Countries.”
And another said: “Most of the acts have come to the UK just to enter the competition. Have we really no talent?”
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Through to the final so far are foreign acts Ssaulabi Performance Troupe, from South Korea, opera singer Innocent Masuku, from South Africa (now living in London), and Japanese stunt skippers Haribow.
They will take on magician Jack Rhodes, from Ulverston, Cumbria, impressionist Mike Woodhams, from Harpenden, St Albans, and singing Londoner Sydnie Christmas.
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Last night’s semi-final featured four more acts from abroad, including Amanda’s pick, a wacky impressionist from Japan called Nabe, who uses his hair to create characters.
Also coming up tonight are Japanese dance troupe Cyber Agent Legit, who Simon used his golden buzzer on.
It comes as The Sun revealed last week that ITV plans to supersize the show from 2025, extending the run and going from February to May.
In the past, Simon has defended the influx of international acts, telling The Sun: “When someone comes from another country with something we think our audience will love there’s no reason not to put them on.
“I like the mixture of the Brits and the rest of the world because for me it makes it more of a competition.
"I’m going to call it the ‘Talent Olympics’.”
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Two finalists are chosen from each semi-final — one by viewer vote and one selected by the judges from viewers’ second and third choices.
Acts from abroad have been a part of the competition since the show began in 2007, but the number of people jetting in has massively increased over the years.
The first run saw just two overseas acts, but by series six in 2012 that number had reached double figures, and it has not gone back down since.
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A BGT spokesman said: “Britain’s Got Talent is, and has always been, open to all, regardless of your age, where you’re from or your level of experience.
“It’s because of these incredible acts that BGT has a reputation globally for being the greatest talent show on television, and we will continue to welcome an array of brilliant acts for future series.”
THEY’RE BRIT UNLUCKY
THERE have been a number of amazing British acts that have surprisingly not made the final.
They include incredible Lucy Heath, 38, from Grantham, Lincs, and her quartet of dancing dogs, The Trickstars.
She made the final in 2016 with tiny pooch Trip Hazard, but this time upped the ante by performing with four dogs.
Fans also thought singer Taryn Charles, 39, from Egham, Surrey, was “robbed”.
Alesha Dixon’s special pick, Ravi’s Dream Team, didn’t make the grade.
Ravi Adelekan, nine, from Brighton, reduced her to tears with his choir’s emotional performance as he told how he was fighting a brain tumour.
Viewers said they would “riot” over the “wrong decision” to send the lad home, as his little sister sobbed on stage.
Tiny dancer Trey Braine, ten, from Hackney, East London, also didn’t make the cut despite performing a homage to former winners Diversity.
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