Britain's Got Talent is set to return to our screens for a brand new season in 2023 - but the latest instalment has sparked complaints before it's even begun.
The TV talent show is about to air its sixteenth series and will feature a judging panel made up of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and brand new judge Bruno Tonioli, the Mirror reports
It comes after previous judge David Walliams exited the show amid controversy, with Strictly legend Bruno was drafted in to replace him. But the dancing expert fell victim to an onstage prank that involved a crossbow and the head judge, Simon Cowell.
The new judge was lured into a stunt which left him thinking he had shot dead 63-year-old Simon with the dangerous weapon. Leaked photos and videos of the set show Simon lying motionless on the stage with Bruno looking shocked as he rushed over to check on him.
And while medics also rush to the stage, it seems the whole incident was nothing more than a prank - while the audience screamed in shock. Footage has circulated via social media from the incident - with a warning about ‘sensitive content’ automatically generated over TikTok footage of the incident.
The Sun on Sunday reports crossbow killer survivor Laura Sugden stating: “I can’t believe it’s even allowed on the show. It’s not regulated, but it’s a lethal weapon. I’ve been in a situation where I’ve lost somebody.
"For Britain’s Got Talent to showcase that as a prank I just find really disrespectful. There will be people watching who lost loved ones through such a dangerous weapon. I can’t comprehend how anyone would find it funny.”
It has been suggested the sketch may now be dropped from the show and not aired. A BGT source defended the stunt, however, telling The Sun: “This is a light-hearted skit in the show between the judges – and not meant to cause any offence at all.”
The ITV show frequently attracts controversy - however in 2020, complaints against dance act Diversity were rejected by Ofcom after some disgruntled fans lodged complaints over a Black Lives Matter performance conducted by the show winning group.
And the series was pulled into disrepute last year when a recording was leaked showing now ex-judge David Walliams making offensive comments about a contestant two years previously.
He issued a short apology following the incident, saying: "I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britain's Got Talent in 2020.
"These were private conversations and - like most conversations with friends - were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry." He then left the show two weeks later.
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