Britain’s Got Talent receives 1,100+ complaints following Diversity’s Black Lives Matter routine
Dance troupe were praised on social media for routine referencing police brutality
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain’s Got Talent received more than 1,100 complaints after broadcasting a Black Lives Matter themed performance from dance group Diversity, Ofcom has said.
The talent competition returned with the first of its semi-finals last Saturday (5 September), with season three winning dance troupe Diversity returning to perform an emotional routine inspired by the death of George Floyd and subsequent protests around the world.
Underscored by Tomfoolery’s viral poem “The Great Realisation”, the performance saw group leader Ashley Banjo pinned down by a police officer, with the group going on to take the knee on the words: “Black Lives Matter.”
While the routine was widely praised online, an Ofcom spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Mail on Monday (7 September) that 1,121 people had complained about the episode of Britain’s Got Talent, with the majority of complaints pertaining to Diversity’s performance.
“We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate,” they said.
Responding to both the support and complaints he had received, Banjo tweeted: “So much to say... But I’ll just let the performance talk. Thousands of messages of love and support - Thank you.
“For the thousands of messages of hate and ignorance - thank you. You highlight exactly what needs to change. Sending nothing but love to you all.”
The dancer also served as a judge on Saturday’s episode of Britain’s Got Talent, replacing head judge Simon Cowell who is recovering after breaking his back falling off an electric bike in August.