‘Bought and paid for’ rant furious Britain’s Got Talent viewers as they claim show ‘must have paid act to audition’
BRITAIN’S Got Talent fans were left baffled over the weekend as a group of taekwondo performers appeared – all the way from South Korea.
The Ssaulabi Performance Troupe left the judges gobsmacked and secured themselves a Golden Buzzer, which they had been determined to get.
While everyone loved their skills, some did question if ITV had paid for them to come and perform.
One person questioned: “Those karate people on #bgt are so obviously bought and paid for by the shows producers – 20 return tickets from Seoul to London is like £16,000. Convenient that they got a golden buzzer..”
A second added: “They’re getting a standing ovation from the judges, because Simon paid too fly them over from South Korea.”
While a third joked: “We are from South Korea and we decided to come to #BGT because it is favourite show, and absolutely were not contacted by the BGT producers first after seeing us on Youtube…”
The dynamic taekwondo show put on by the group saw them perform intricate somersaults and flips, whilst also breaking wooden planks effortlessly with their hands and feet.
A troupe member even performed pirouettes while consistently breaking several pieces of wood.
They were also several times when they flung themselves into the air to deliver powerful kicks.
Backstage hosts Ant and Dec were so impressed that they ran out and hit the Golden Buzzer for the troupe.
Following their audition judge Bruno Tonioli praised the routine for its “power, the beauty and the artistry” that surpassed everything he had previously witnessed on the stage, calling it an act that blew “out of the water”.
Fellow judge Alesha Dixon said their “discipline hard work and dedication” had “paid off”.
Those watching at home also branded it one of the best things they have ever seen – and are rooting for them to win the show.
BGT's Best Golden Buzzer Moments
BGT have handed out many Golden Buzzer's over the years, can you remember some of the most famous
- Loren Allred – Loren Allred, 32, from Brooklyn, New York jetted to London to audition after recording the vocals for The Greatest Showman. The stunning singer got a standing ovation and a Golden Buzzer from the judges as she delivered a stirring rendition of Never Enough from the popular film. Loren came out on stage and revealed to the judges they would have heard her voice many times before that moment. “I was hired to record the vocals for The Greatest Showman as a guide for the actors to know how to sing the songs,” she explained. Loren then revealed actress Rebecca Ferguson was so stunned by her singing that she decided to let her vocals be heard in the movie. “So she lip-synced,” Loren said.
- Chicken Shed Theatre Company – Comprised of individuals aged between 5 and 37, the group was set up to welcome anyone irrespective of background to get up on stage and perform and fulfil their dream. Chicken Shed prides itself on accepting anyone and does not hold auditions to make the group a safe and inclusive space. The group wowed as they performed Wonder by Naughty Boy featuring Emeli Sande. It meant that Alesha wasted no time as she decided to hit her golden buzzer for the young performers. She told them it was her “honour” to reward their inclusiveness with her golden buzzer.
- The Dancing Granny – Granny Paddy Jones and her professional partner Niko Espinosa first hit headlines when they won the Spanish talent show Tú sí que vales in 2009, before going on to appear on Britain’s Got Talent in 2014 where they came ninth. Amanda Holden was so impressed with Paddy that she gave her the Golden Buzzer, which sent them straight through to the semi-finals. But things took a worrying turn when Paddy cracked a rib while rehearsing a new move and her place on the show was under doubt. She was given the all-clear to perform in the end but didn’t quite live up to expectations.
- Bars and Melody – They will forever be remembered for their anti-bullying song on the talent show. Bars and Melody were first seen on the 2014 series of Britain’s Got Talent, getting shuttled into the semi-finals when Simon Cowell pressed his Golden Buzzer. They made it to the final thanks to a performance of I’ll Be Missing You but lost out on the crown to Collabro. These days Charlie Lenehan – known as Melody – is covered in tattoos, with inkings on his neck, arms and chest. But he is as close as ever to co-star Leondre Devries – who is Bars – with the pair seen enjoying themselves in exotic locations all over the world.