BGT vicar Allan Finnegan hit a bum note with a routine centred around death and funerals on Saturday night’s show.
The Scouse Baptist Minister began his death segment by acknowledging lots of people had suffered bereavement.
He then said his uncle had died just before Christmas before joking of the silver lining that he had him as his Secret Santa.
Allan then recalled his first funeral, where he danced to Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive.
He forgot the deceased’s name – possibly Hilda, he said. And then he compared it to a game of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, before joking about ruling out Ask The Audience.
He went on to say he was glad it wasn’t Deal or No Deal as there was no way he was opening that box…
The man of the cloth then joked that, as he was about to send ‘Hilda’ on her final journey, his phone rang and the ringtone was Rihanna singing ‘just gonna stand there and watch me burn’.
Despite viewers at home laughing on video link in the studio, there were many others who weren’t impressed.
I’m all for a laugh but it’s poorly timed given so many have died from this deadly virus!
The biggest bone of contention was jokes about death and funerals during the coronavirus pandemic.
One commented on Twitter: “We have an epidemic going on and he’s making jokes about funerals. Moron!”
Had to switch that vicar off i was cringing when he played Rihanna and Eminem.
How was that funny,bloody fool.
We have an epidemic going on and he’s making jokes about funerals. Moron!!!!#BGT— Riv (@cazarell) September 12, 2020
Another agreed, adding: “The vicar tonight was bang out of order. Time and place and whilst we are in the middle of a pandemic was not the right time.”
The vicar tonight was bang out of order.
Time & a place and whilst we are in the middle of a pandemic was not the right time 🤦♂️#BGT#BritainsGotTalent
— Jordan Gray (@jordangray21) September 12, 2020
A third said: “Appalling jokes from a vicar during this pandemic.”
#BGT appalling jokes from a vicar during this pandemic
— Tony (@tonypony) September 12, 2020
Yet another remarked: “Oh I don’t think telling jokes about death by a religious minister during a pandemic which has seen 41+ thousand people die is a good idea on BGT.”
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Oh I don’t think telling jokes about death by a religious minister during a pandemic which has seen 41+ thousand people die is a good idea on #BGT I loved #AlanFinnegan‘s first audition but tonight’s choice of jokes were tone-deaf sorry! @BGT pic.twitter.com/lu5jWq3s3f
— jacky dooley (@DooleyJacky) September 13, 2020
One annoyed viewer echoed this with: “Joking about death…during a pandemic! Tasteless! Puerile! Crap!”
Joking about death…during a pandemic! Tasteless! Puerile! Crap! #BGT
— Annoyed! (@REBELTROOP) September 12, 2020
And they kept coming, as another noted: “I’m all for a laugh but it’s poorly timed given so many have died from this deadly virus!”
The world is facing the #CoronaVirus pandemic and tonights semi-final was @aifinnegan with a funeral themed act.
I’m all for a laugh but it’s poorly timed given so many have died from this deadly virus!#BritainsGotTalent #BGT
— Grant Rivers 🏳️🌈 (@SnowAndBeach) September 12, 2020
Another chided: “Maybe having an act dedicated to joking about the deaths of elderly people in the middle of a pandemic isn’t the best thing.”
maybe having an act dedicated to joking about the deaths of elderly people in the middle of a pandemic isn’t the best thing…. #bgt
— ♡ (@falIenpetal) September 12, 2020
The judges had a mixed reaction to Allan. Alesha Dixon said she struggled to connect with him, while Ashley Banjo said he lost him halfway through.
David Walliams and Amanda Holden both praised him.
What did you think of the act? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.