Britain’s Got Talent has denied fix claims after it emerged a gospel choir who appeared on Saturday night’s show are ‘already famous’.
London Gospel Community Choir wowed the judges with their rendition of The O’Jays Love Train and Anytime You Need A Friend by Mariah Carey.
They easily sailed through to the next round getting four yesses and even a standing ovation from Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
Viewers at home quickly took to Twitter to point out the choir are a professional act who have been around for years and already have a huge loyal fan base.
But an official BGT spokesperson told The Mirror: "This is not a fix, and we take fix claims extremely seriously. Anyone can apply for Britain's Got Talent whether they are professional or amateur, irrespective of their experience.
"All contestants are auditioned on merit and judged on their performance on the day and whilst some of the acts appearing on the show may have tasted a level of success, they are not household names. All enter the contest with the hope of elevating their career to the highest level. "
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It comes after some viewers took to social media during the latest episode to share their frustration with the act.
One Britain’s Got Talent fan commented: “As brilliant as they are, the London Gospel Community Choir are professionals and shouldn’t be allowed on #BritainsGotTalent.”
Another wrote: “Watching BGT. The London Community Choir are literally already world famous. They were on Blue Peter all the time when I was little. Ask anyone in the street to name a Gospel Choir and that’s who they say. They would score 89 on a Pointless question about gospel.”
“I love the London Community Gospel Choir. I’ve loved them for a long time. I’ve seen them perform in big venues, they’re on my Spotify play list. So why are they on #BGT,” said a third.
“London Community Gospel Choir are totally a household name though... @BGT,” said a fourth.
A fifth added: “London Community Gospel Choir are phenomenal. That’s why they’re well-known, successful and often on TV or other artists’ recordings. I have no idea why they’ve been allowed onto #BritainsGotTalent.”
While some fans pointed out the choir had performed on stage with huge acts like Blur.
One wrote: “Nice to see the London Community Gospel Choir on #BGT. That would be the London Community Gospel Choir that have performed in some pretty huge gigs with @blurofficial right?”
The choir was founded in 1982 by Reverend Bazil Meade, whose Twitter account describes them as ‘world famous’. He was even awarded an MBE for services to gospel music in 2018.
Their website states they have performed with huge music acts such as Tom Jones, Elton John, Madonna, Paul McCartney and Mariah Carey.
Adele, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, Jessie J, Justin Timberlake, Nick Jonas and Gregory Porter are also name dropped.
Big events such as singing at the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, Glastonbury, Live 8 and regular shows at the Royal Albert Hall are also mentioned.
It adds the British media have dubbed them “the nation’s favourite choir”.
In a statement The London Community Gospel Choir said: “The London Community Gospel Choir is approaching it’s 40th anniversary and we decided to audition for BGT, to mark that occasion and use the platform to help leave behind a lasting legacy.
"Whilst we may be known to some in the industry, London Community Gospel Choir is not yet a household name. We have been fortunate enough to collaborate with some established acts but now is the time for the choir to make a name for itself in its own right and have our time in the spotlight."
It’s not the first fix row the 2022 series of Britain’s Got Talent has been embroiled in so far.
Amanda Holden’s singer Loren Allred appeared on the show despite providing vocals for The Greatest Showman film.
While Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer act Alex Blake has a stand up show on Amazon Prime.
The Titan The Robot act are also thought to have a secret connection to BGT hosts Ant and Dec after appearing on their Saturday Night Takeaway show.
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