ITV Britain's Got Talent winner slaps down 'fix' claims as he issues urgent plea to viewers: 'It's not rigged!'

ITV Britain's Got Talent winner slaps down 'fix' claims as he issues urgent plea to viewers: 'It's not rigged!'

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Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 27/04/2024

- 09:02

The former winner talked exclusively to GB News, where he gave his view on 'fix' claims

Britain's Got Talent returned to screens last week, with more weird and wonderful performers attempting to impress judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli.

The ITV show attracts a range of responses from viewers, with some complaining the show is "fixed".


Last week, the series debut faced similar complaints after it emerged one of the acts was already a professional singer.

However, there are no rules to suggest the acts can't already be professionals in their talent.

Fans were quick to issue comments regarding Syndie Christmas' audition, which saw her receive a standing ovation from the judges - and the audience members were equally stunned.

Holden even decided to send Christmas straight to the semi-final by pressing the all-important golden buzzer, but viewers were disappointed to learn she has featured in West End shows.

Richard Jones

Jones won the 2016 series of the ITV show

ITV

One person familiar with the show's process is 2016 winner Richard Jones. Former winner Lance Corporal Jones won the nation’s hearts as the soldier who was also a part-time magician.

Speaking exclusively to GB News, he was asked to share his thoughts about claims parts of the show are "fixed".

"I think all reality TV shows and similar shows all attract negativity for... I don't know why - I think it's a bit of a shame that very often nowadays, people kind of look for controversy and look for problems," he stated.

He continued: "The show is certainly not fake and it's not rigged at all. I remember queuing up - I went to the ExCel Centre, where we had to wait for about eight hours for the audition.

Richard Jones

Britain's Got Talent often faces complaints about being 'fixed'

ITV

"I went through all the way from the very beginning and I don't think they would even be bale to rig it - it's the public that vote.

"But I do find more and more that nowadays, [that] public perception and comments just generally seem to be on a more negative wavelength of everything.

"And I think that's a shame. I think that's something we can consciously try and revert back.

"Because there's nothing nicer when you do a TV show and you see lovely comments, and you see that people enjoyed what you do and they're so lovely.

Richard Jones

Jones slapped down 'fix' claims of the show

ITV

"And no matter what the show is - Love Island or Bake Off or any show, if you see a nice comment it makes your day.

"And you might see 100 nice comments that make you feel really happy but all it takes is one negative person who doesn't intentionally say something wanting to hurt you - they don't even think you'd read it - but they'll put something negative about the way you look or something you do or say they don't like you and that will really affect you far more than the 100 positive comments, which is a shame."

The 33-year-old added: "So yeah, I think there's just a negative wavelength at the moment, but there's no intended harm, it's just people don't realise who they're talking about is actually reading the comments.

"I'm lucky I always seem to get most 99 percent really nice comments, so it's really nice to have lovely people talking to me.It's about showcasing their talent and I mean, it's not rigged at all."

For more information on Jones, visit: https://musicandbands.co.uk/booking-agent/richard-....

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