Amanda Holden on Britain's Got Talent
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BGT could face Ofcom investigation as fans complain about Amanda Holden’s swearing and The Haunting act

One viewer compared it to a "primary school talent show" act

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The first of the Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals saw The Haunting terrify Amanda Holden, but many viewers were far from impressed.

Ofcom received 192 complaints from viewers over the terrifying performance and when Amanda accidentally swore during it.

In last night’s episode (May 27), The Haunting’s Elizabeth came on stage for another spooky performance as she sought to land a place in the final.

She took Amanda backstage and the judge found herself face to face with ghosts Florence and Agatha.

Amanda Holden on Britain's Got Talent
Amanda with The Haunting’s Elizabeth and the ghost Florence (Credit: ITV)

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But near the end of the act, a number of viewers spotted a blunder that ruined the performance for them.

Amanda was grabbed by Florence the ghost before her mother, Agatha, broke through a mirror and took the judge’s arm to lead her back upstairs.

She then transformed into magician Elizabeth, causing Amanda to drop the F-bomb on live TV – something she later apologised for.

An Ofcom spokesperson revealed that 154 people complained about Elizabeth’s act being too scary, while 38 were not impressed with Amanda’s slip of the tongue.

They told The Sun: “We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”

Amanda Holden on Britain's Got Talent
Agatha led Amanda back upstairs (Credit: ITV)

Meanwhile, some viewers think they saw how the trick was done as the camera angle appeared to expose Elizabeth hiding as Amanda walked up the stairs.

Taking to Twitter, one BGT fan posted a clip of the moment and wrote: “Sorry but you literally see them swap places…”

Another unimpressed viewer tweeted: “What a load of staged nonsense.”

A third wrote alongside a string of crying-laughing emojis: “Absolute joke, my five year old can do better magic and I don’t even have a five year old.”

A fourth said: “Bloody scary who you meet coming down stairs – secrecy’s in the timing… primary school talent show level at best.”

Someone else tweeted: “Sorry, saw the arm,” while another said: “# Saw the magician hiding round the corner. Nice work camera man.”

ED! has contacted ITV reps for comment.

Nevertheless, Amanda appeared genuinely shocked by the experience, with fellow judge Alesha Dixon comforting her as she returned to the panel.

After a public vote, The Haunting was put in the top three alongside Flakefleet Primary School and Dave & Finn. The latter automatically went through to the final as they received the most votes, leaving the judges to choose between The Haunting and Flakefleet.

Dave and Finn on Britain's Got Talent
Dave & Finn got through to the final (Credit: ITV)

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David Walliams and Amanda both voted for Flakefleet, while Alesha backed The Haunting.

It was then up to Simon Cowell to put another act through to the final alongside Dave & Finn, and he chose Flakefleet Primary School.

– Britain’s Got Talent is on weekdays at 7.30pm on ITV

What did you think of The Haunting’s final BGT performance? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor