A "sweet" moment on Britain's Got Talent when a mother gave up her audition to let her daughter take her place has divided fans. ITV viewers were surprised when mum Claire Connolly took to the stage, only to announce to the judges and the studio audience that she as going to let her teenage daughter Tia sing instead of her.
The judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli were touched by the gesture and blown away by Tia's audition as she belted out Whitney Houston hit I Didn’t Know My Own Strength. However, some BGT fans felt the 'surprise' switch was contrived as they slammed it as "fake" on social media.
After coming up on stage on Saturday night's episode (April 22), Claire, 33, told the judging panel: "She thinks it’s me who’s auditioning. She’s got me through some very hard times in my life and I feel like I owe her, so I’m giving my audition up for my daughter. This is my way of saying she’s fabulous because she deserves it and she’s an incredible person."
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Tia seemingly had no warning that she would be pulled out on to stage and spontaneously performed the song she said had helped her get through tough times when she was bullied "for the colour of my skin", reported the Daily Record.
The rendition impressed the judges, as Amanda told her she "absolutely smashed it” and has a "massive career" ahead of her. Simon said: “That’s how you do it. I really love moments like this, you didn’t know you were going to audition, your mum set you up, I’ll just sing Whitney Houston then, like it’s normal."
He added to Claire: "That’s very sweet what you did for your daughter because I’m guessing without you doing that she wouldn’t have auditioned. I absolutely loved this audition."
But some viewers sceptical, claiming the moment was "scripted", "staged" and "so fake". On Twitter, @Skajme wrote: "That mum 'giving up' her audition for her daughter is the biggest load of fake nonsense I have ever seen."
@JamesTuckett posted: "So a mum gives up her slot at Britains got talent for her daughter!!! What a croc of s**t! Don’t tell me that’s not staged!!"
@thatRobster tweeted: "This whole thing with the mum giving up her audition to her daughter seems SO fake." @evilcheltdevil replied: "There’s been a lot of ‘moments’ that seem to have been set up this year - more so than ever before."
@MrDomHarrison shared: "'She's never done anything like this before…she usually just sings in the shower,' says mother of girl who then goes out and sings like a goddess whilst displaying immaculate mic technique and stage-craft."
@David_Witherz wrote: "Bollocks....you have to do pre-auditions. Can't just go on the stage & say you're giving your place to your daughter. All fake & planned."
@sunlover_FBPE agreed, replying: "Maybe i am getting sceptical in my old age but it felt scripted". And @balmig added: "Didn’t buy it for a second. Obviously contrived."
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