Britain's Got Talent has responded after the show's return was hit with 'racism' complaints. It was a big weekend for the ITV talent show as it made a big comeback after two years away from screens.
Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and David Walliams were back on the judging panel after the programme was disrupted in 2020 and then cancelled in 2021 due to the ongoing restrictions throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
And to make the return of the hit show, fans were treated to two episodes on Saturday and Sunday night packed full of auditions and the selection of the first two golden buzzer acts.
However, BGT often suffers controversy, and the show has been forced to speak out after veteran performer Jim Fitzpatrick returned to the programme. His performance started with Jim being lowered to the stage from the ceiling wearing a bizarre crow outfit before partaking in a limited dance routine.
But some viewers were unimpressed as they recalled the term 'Jim Crow' - despite their being no mention of it on the programme - which refers to laws that enforced racial segregation in the southern states of America before being abolished in 1965.
A spokesman from Britain's Got Talent told The Sun : "At no point during his audition was Jim Fitzpatrick referred to as Jim Crow. No offence was intended with the performance and BGT is proud to be a diverse and inclusive show, amplified through moments like the BAFTA award winning Diversity performance shown in the last series."
ITV were also forced to speak out after an auditionee didn't even know he was set to perform in front of the judges until his mum and two daughters appeared on the stage as he sat in the audience.
Nick Edwards, 36, had a shock as his daughters Savannah and Cali, three and four, were brought on stage by his mother Tracey in a bid to convince him to audition which aired during Saturday night's return show (April 16). But it didn't stop eagle-eyed BGT viewers from believing they had spotted an issue with the 'surprise' audition after spotting that Nick was wearing a mic while sitting in the audience.
There were also 'unfair' cries as a singer from the box office smash The Greatest Showman appeared in the first episode of the new series and landed the coveted golden buzzer from Amanda.
