Viewers of Britain’s Got Talent 2024 are expressing dissatisfaction with the inclusion of acts from Japan, prompting threats to report the matter to Ofcom, the UK TV regulator.
Some disgruntled fans argue that the show’s title implies it should feature exclusively British talent, leading to calls for intervention from regulatory authorities.
The discontent arose after the show’s judge Simon Cowell awarded his Gold Buzzer to Cyberagent Legit, a professional Japanese dance act, during Saturday night’s auditions. The lineup also included performances by Sarukani, a beatboxing group, and Keiichiro Tani, a drone operator, all hailing from Japan.
Although there are no formal restrictions on the nationality of acts, viewers took to social media platforms, such as X (formerly Twitter), to voice their opinions. Some questioned whether the show had arranged a group booking for talent from Japan, while others criticized the perceived deviation from the show’s premise.
However, amidst the criticism, there were also expressions of admiration for the Japanese acts. Sarukani, in particular, received praise for their outstanding beatboxing skills, with viewers lauding their past achievements, including winning the Beatboxing World Championship in October 2023.
Despite the controversy, Britain’s Got Talent has faced similar accusations in the past. Last Sunday’s episode featured Geneviève Côté, a Canadian talent known for her ability to produce nature sounds, prompting viewers to question the show’s integrity. It was revealed that Geneviève had previously appeared on Canada’s Got Talent and France’s La France a un incroyable talent, raising concerns about the inclusion of seasoned performers.
While some viewers raised objections, it’s worth noting that Britain’s Got Talent welcomes participants regardless of their background or prior experience in talent competitions.
