Britain's Got Talent viewers were distinctly unimpressed with the show for allowing one of its semi-finalists to partly pre-record their performance. Free running trio Ed, George and Travis were among the acts competing on the ITV talent show's first semi-final on Monday night (May 29).
Their act began with a clip showing them busting their moves outdoors. The action then switched back to the studio, where they performed a series of flips and gravity-defying moves in full view of judges Alesha, Bruno, Amanda and Simon.
Judge Simon Cowell said it "felt live and it felt different to anything on the show tonight", going on to praise the boys for their "energy". And Amanda added: "It will be criminal if you don't reach the finals...you are amazing."
However impressed fans were by their moves, they questioned the decision to allow the pre-recording. On Twitter, @griffonline said: "Welcome to the BGT live pre-recorded semi finals", while @rhi77 questioned: "It’s supposed to be a live show??".
Referring to the Royal Variety Performance slow awaiting the overall winner, @EmilyLewiiss said: "I’m sure King Charles will enjoy watching this when it’s not even live", and @adjalf1 said: "What? Its not even live? Isnt that defeating the entire point of being on the LIVE shows?"
@_iiBus argued: "The parkour one would've been much better without the pre-recorded segment", with @DrCat1981 saying: "oh joy another pre-recorded underwhelming act…. Can just see that on the Royal Variety!" And @frosted_north said: "Doesn't showing a pre-recorded VT (how many takes?) defeat the object of the live shows?"
@Matts_Tweeting felt it was against the spirit of the live semi-finals, writing: "Not sure pre-recorded filming outside for what is a long time is fair. do it on the stage." And mother flop was also unimpressed, saying: "Britain’s Got Pre-recorded Talent".
Meanwhile Mgwjambo said: "Parkour collective allowed to use a pre recorded and clearly edited sequence? Hardly seems live or particularly fair?"
