MX23RW : Thursday, November 14 16:32:22| >> :600:131013981:131013981:

Ofcom dismisses Britain's Got Talent complaints

Ofcom decides not to pursue complaints about Diversity's performance on Britain's Got Talent.

TV regulator Ofcom has decided not to pursue complaints about Diversity's performance on Britain's Got Talent earlier this month.

Around 24,500 viewers had complained about the dance troupe's routine, which was themed around the Black Lives Matter movement and involved a white man dressed as a policeman leaning on Ashley Banjo's neck.

While the hard-hitting nature of the performance drew much praise on social media, some criticised the group for making a political statement on the long-running entertainment show.

Announcing its decision today, Ofcom said that viewers had variously complained that the routine was racist towards white people, was unsuitable for a family audience, encouraged violence against the police and expressed support for the Black Lives Matter political organisation.

"We considered that the content was clearly artistic expression representing Diversity's response to the events of 2020," it said in its ruling. "Ofcom considers that freedom of expression is particularly important in the context of artistic works."

The ruling continued: "We considered that the portrayals of encounters between anti-racism protests and the police in the performance were limited and symbolic in nature.

"The performance included a dancer kicking one riot shield, which then knocked over the line of riot shields one after the other. This was followed by the performers representing police officers removing their helmets and some dancing alongside other. dancers for the remainder of the performance.

"In our view the depiction of recent anti-racism protests in the routine did not in any way condone or glamorise violent behaviour."

Earlier this week ITV issued a statement defending BGT, describing it as "an inclusive show, which showcases diversity and supports strong storytelling in all forms".

ID:414684: cacheID:414684:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2651:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole Black Friday Offer: Get Sky Entertainment, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £19 a month + £0 upfront fee for 24 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends December 3, 2024

Restore Data
Share this article now:
Diversity perform on the first semi-final of BGT
Read Next:
Complaints over Black Lives Matter dance on BGT top 7,500
>
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Thursday, November 7


The Day of the Jackal: Sky On-demand/NOW, from 2am
First five episodes of a new drama thriller starring Eddie Redmayne as an elite assassin

Married at First Sight UK: E4, 9pm
The boys and girls go on separate nights out, joined by some faces from earlier in the experiment

EastEnders: iPlayer, from 6am and BBC One, 7.30pm
So what's happened to Bianca then?

RuPaul's Drag Race UK: BBC Three, 9pm
Beverley Knight is this week's guest judge as the remaining queens for the annual Rusical week