Comedian Axel Blake was crowned champion of this year's series of Britain's Got Talent on Sunday night, but not everyone is too happy with the result.
Some ITV viewers have claimed the comic's victory is unfair, due to the fact he was already pretty established with gigs like an Amazon special prior to appearing on the show aiming to discover new talent.
Several angry Britain's Got Talent fans have argued the show should be kept solely for "ordinary people" getting to perform for the first time on stage, and claimed the comedian had unfair advantage over other acts competing throughout the series.
Winner Axel has since addressed the controversy, during his appearance on Lorraine on Monday morning.
Axel triumphed in the 2022 final, beating young ventriloquist Jamie Leahey to the crown, as well as singing teacher Tom Ball, with the pair placing second and third respectively.
The dad-of-two impressed judges, the audience and viewers with his charming persona and witty jokes throughout the entire series, after receiving a Golden Buzz pass through to the live semi-finals from head judge Simon Cowell.
However, some fans on social media have been unable to celebrate his victory.
"SORRY, BGT has LOST all credibility. I was led to believe BGT was all about NEW comers [sic] being given their chance and NOT people who have already got a career in show business," one viewer fumed after the live final on Sunday.
Another added: "Pleased for axel but Jamie and Chuck should’ve won! Acts who have performed in stadiums or had record deals etc shouldn’t be allowed to enter! The show should be for pure raw talent! Jamie and chuck fully deserved this!"
Prior to auditioning for Britain's Got Talent, Axel's very own live stand-up show, Axel Blake: I’m Not Gonna Lie, was held at The O2 in 2018 and went on to be released on Amazon Prime in 2020.
The former property maintenance manager has been working on the comedy circuit for several years now - even supporting high-profile names like Dave Chappelle and Eddie Griffin on stage.
Several Britain's Got Talent viewers noted Axel's career achievements when discussing his win online.
"Yea he’s been making people laugh for years and you are making out he is something new and original. I don’t give a s**t about the bloke," one fuming fan began on Twitter when arguing with one of Axel's fans. "My problem is that it’s no longer about ordinary people winning a chance of a lifetime to perform for the very first time."
"What an absolute joke yet again on #BGT ! The winner is a professional comedian with own website, FB, Instagram! Completely unfair, as soon as he won I turned off as I'm fed up with the same old same old happening on BGT," another disappointed viewer added to the online discourse.
The Mirror has approached Britain's Got Talent for comment.
Elsewhere on social media, many were happy to see Axel crowned champion over the weekend, with one fan tweeting: "I'm SOOOOOO happy Axel Blake won @bgt I am totally watching his stand up when he goes on tour."
Another seemed unbothered by the star's previous work giving him an advantage, adding: "Axel Blake has been on the London comedy scene for years. Happy for him. Amazing. The come up!"
After his win was announced on Sunday night, head judge Simon told Axel: "I feel really emotional for you right now.
"It’s not just how brilliant you are, it’s how much I like you and how everyone likes you.
"I believe we have found a star."
Axel addressed the comments himself on Monday morning, setting the record straight about his comedy special that went on to appear on Amazon.
"I put that show on myself," he said of the filmed London special when chatting on Lorraine Kelly's couch.
"I put my money where my mouth is and I achieved that, but it didn’t…. It looks like, 'Oh my gosh, it’s Amazon Prime', but if they saw the back end, it didn’t look like that financially, a lot of stress…
"I had to borrow from other people, to say, 'Listen, I need to do something, I’ve already put the deposit down and stuff…' Then after that, Amazon picked it up. So it wasn’t for Amazon Prime. I didn’t know they were going to pick it up. That was like a year later," Axel added.
