Britain's Got Talent fans hit out at Simon Cowell for his homegrown comment - just hours after a US pro sailed into the semi-finals.
The ITV talent show returned for the second half of a bumper weekend of episodes to celebrate its launch, but as group Brit Kidz - who performed a dance routine inspired by a number of former BGT acts - fans were left unimpressed by Simon's comment.
After the group had sailed into the next round, Simon and his fellow judges - Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams - discussed their decision to put the group through to the next round.
Simon could be heard saying to his fellow judges: "I love that the acts are homegrown and they did something special for this show."
However, fans were annoyed with the comment after the 'fix row' surrounding The Greatest Showman star Loren Allred being given a Golden Buzzer during the opening show yesterday evening.
"Simon - 'I love that the acts are all home grown' #BGT American professional singer gets golden buzzer," one frustrated fan wrote, whilst another added: "Simon: I like they are home grown and they did something specific for the show. Literally 24 hours ago they put through an American professional singer who came here specifically for fame and fortune."
A third shared: "Huh, Simon says he likes a home grown talent but yesterday put through an American with a successful career and plenty of exposure already?! #BGT," with a fourth penning: "Simon, who was the golden buzzer act last night??? #BGT."
Whilst there was no doubt about Loren's incredible voice, some fans weren't sure whether she should have got the Golden Buzzer and be given a pass into the semi-final, as she is already famous.
Bosses have since defended Amanda's decision to put Loren into the semi-final.
"Whilst most people will have heard the infamous Greatest Showman track, Loren is not a household name, and she deserves her spot on the BGT stage," a spokesperson said to the Metro.
"We hope that such articles will not count against somebody who is well-deserving of this opportunity. It’s fantastic that Loren is now able to step out and stand in her own right to be the face, and not just the voice, of one of the most well-known tracks of all time."
*Britain's Got Talent continues next weekend on ITV.
