Britain's Got Talent has been hit by 'set up' accusations from sceptical viewers over Greatest Showman singer Loren Allred being given the Golden Buzzer and a comment made by Simon Cowell before she arrived on stage.
Loren is the vocalist responsible for one of The Greatest Showman's most famous songs, Never Enough, but, while her voice has been heard across the globe, she was never seen in the film. Instead, actress Rebecca Ferguson is seen on stage miming to Loren's voice, in the role of Swedish singing sensation Jenny Lind.
Loren was the final act on screen on Saturday's Britain's Got Talent launch show and, while Simon and his fellow judges appeared dumbfounded by the fact she'd turned up to audition and oblivious to her Greatest Showman back story, plenty of viewers at home were far from convinced. After Loren sang Never Enough and Amanda Holden hit her Golden Buzzer, some BGT fans hit out at the fact she was already a well known singer with a record deal.
READ MORE: Loren Allred's Greatest Showman 'snub' explained as she wows BGT
Others found out that Loren had sang with both Michael Buble and Andrea Bocelli. But, while Loren getting the Golden Buzzer sparked accusations that it was 'unfair' she was allowed to even take part, others focused on the whole thing feeling more than a bit staged.
Minutes before Loren walked onto stage, Amanda, seemingly out of the blue, asked fellow judge Simon: "If you could watch one movie for the rest of your life what would it be?" He replied: "The Greatest Showman and I'll be happy," to which Amanda added: "I've seen that film so many times as well; the songs in it are amazing."
The conversation paved the way for Ferdinand Rennie who performed a rather unique take on Never Enough, before it was Loren's turn to perform for the judges. And, on hearing who she was, fans flocked to Twitter to air their disapproval. One tweeted: "they bring out a ringer in Loren Allred who sings the big hit for film The Greatest Showman.. And it's fantastic, but you've got Simon Cowell & Amanda Holden acting like they don't know her."
A second posted: "A woman singing ‘Never Enough’ on BGT from ‘The greatest showman,’ turns out it’s the original singer and Simon Cowell and co pretend to know they’ve no idea who she is. You can’t believe A THING they put on TV now." Equally unimpressed, a third reacted: "expecting Hugh Jackman next week to belt out another greatest showman hit... And then claim he is a penniless emerging actor...and then get the golden buzzer. Simon Cowell must think we are f**king clowns."
