dan walker diversity bbc
TV

BGT Diversity performance: Dan Walker hits out at complaints against it

The BBC star supports the BLM inspired performance.

BGT has received over 10,000 complaints over the powerful Diversity performance and now Dan Walker has waded into the furore.

The BBC Breakfast host and sports pundit, 43, shared his opinion on social media.

Over 10,000 complaints have been made to Ofcom regarding the performance since it first aired on Saturday.

Many viewers took offence to the politically charged dance set.

ashley banjo britain's got talent
Dan says he doesn’t think the complainers watched the dance (Credit: ITV)

Dan Walker supports Diversity BLM performance

The interpretive dance explored issues around lockdown, Amazon, police brutality and Black Lives Matter.

But Dan reckons those that complained didn’t actually watch the performance.

Read more: Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon pledge their support for Diversity

Taking to Instagram, Dan shared: “I’d be interested to know how many of the 10,000+ complaints about the BGT performance by Diversity actually watched it [sic].”

However, his comments left some of his fans divided.

Dan Walker
Dan Walker works for ITV’s main rival the BBC. (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Dan Walker divides fans

One Instagram user argued: “I watched it and immediately felt that political messages have no place on an entertainment stage. We hear and see enough of this through news outlets.”

Read more: Viewers poke fun at The Black Full Monty documentary

And another user echoed a similar sentiment with: “I watched it, turned it over but didn’t complain.

“I won’t be watching BGT again though. No to need to bring politics into a Saturday night family programme.”

But plenty of others remarked on how impactful and relevant they found it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE_OakoHmow/

BGT Diversity has received over 10,000 complaints

An additional user commented: “I thought it was an amazing piece of art and reflected what has been happening in the world and their skills get better each time.”

Another user stated: “I thought it was an amazing performance and very relevant cannot understand about the complaints and I am a white pensioner and pity the small mindedness of some people x.”

Both Ashley and Jordan Banjo have spoken out following the complaints.

The Diversity members, who won Britain’s Got Talent back in 2009, expressed their sadness.

britain's got talent dan walker
The performance is now the second most hated TV moment of the decade (Credit: ITV)

Ashley shared on social media: “I’m so grateful and overwhelmed by all of the love and support but also by the amount of conversation this performance has thrown up.

“2020 has been such a historical year.

“One day we will look back and realise it was the start of real change…

Diversity take to the stage with POWERFUL Black Lives Matter performance | Semi-Finals | BGT 2020

“Sending out nothing but love and positivity to everyone reading this post.”

Jordan teared up on his KISS FM radio show, saying: “I can’t speak for anyone else it’s sad, it’s sad, genuinely.

“I feel really anxious and worried saying something like black lives matter when that’s all we want man, love and positivity.”

Like this story? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor