Officer who shot black man 'meant to deploy Taser'1, Manhunt after 'execution' shooting in Paris2, Quick guide to Russia-Ukraine military tensions3, Will Smith film leaves Georgia over voting laws4, Royal brothers pay tribute to 'Grandpa' Philip5, France moves to ban short-haul domestic flights6, BBC 'gets 100,000 complaints' over Prince Philip7, 'World's biggest rabbit' stolen from garden8, The Friends reunion has been filmed in Los Angeles9, How a small African territory has upset China10. Banjo is taking Simon Cowell's place on the judging panel for this series after Cowell injured his back. Ashley Banjo: 'I looked at George Floyd and I saw my dad', Diversity stars Jordan and Perri on taking over Kiss breakfast. The complaints lead us to believe that political Black bodies and voices are deemed threatening and that Diversity is transgressing the limited and conditional space afforded to it. Ofcom also confirmed that complaints about the performance revolved around four claims: that it was racist against white people, that it portrayed the police in a negative fashion, was unsuitable for a family audience, and that it “expressed support for a political organisation” in Black Lives Matter. Thu 17 Sep 2020 08.21 EDT 1,449 Britain Got Talent has been cleared of any breach of broadcasting rules after 24,500 people complained about a … Diversity's Black Lives Matter routine has received 15,500 complaints Credit: Rex Features. The performance saw group leader Ashley Banjo pinned down by a police officer, with the group going on to take the knee on the words: “Black Lives Matter.”. The number of objections to … The dance troupe’s emotional performance on the ITV talent show, inspired by the death of George Floyd , included a moment when lead dancer Ashley Banjo lay beneath a figure in police uniform who placed his knee on Banjo’s neck. Diversity’s Black Lives Matter performance on Britain’s Got Talent swamped with over 24,000 complaints. Diversity's Jordan Banjo reveals members of dance group received threats over Black Lives Matter dance. Black Lives Matter.". The BGT judge's decision to wear the jewellery - three staggered gold necklaces baring the letters B, L and M - comes after the show received more than 24,000 complaints following a routine by Diversity … This is a group the celebrates black excellence and cultural diversity! ITV back Diversity over Black Lives Matter performance as 23,000 viewers complain The routine featured Diversity lead dancer Ashley Banjo having his neck knelt on by a white performer. The number of complaints about an episode of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) in which Diversity performed a routine inspired by Black Lives Matter has risen to … The group, who won the talent show in 2009, then all took a knee before the song Black Lives Matter by Dax began, which features the lyrics: "I can't breathe," the words which George Floyd repeatedly said as he was restrained. 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Banjo has revealed that he received death threats in the wake of the performance. And juggling comedian Steve Royle became the first contestant to win a place in the BGT final after a format change meant the judges could choose one of the acts to go straight through to the final. The show returned to screens after lockdown with a few changes due to coronavirus - fans were seen beamed in on a huge screen behind the stage as there was no studio audience. A Black Lives Matters-inspired performance by dance troupe Diversity on ITV's Britain's Got Talent has received hundreds of complaints. Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said the majority of the complaints related to Dixon’s three-tier necklace, which featured the letters B, L … If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk, Banjo: 'I looked at George Floyd and saw my dad', Simon Cowell breaks back falling from bike, Ant and Dec 'wanted to quit' Britain's Got Talent, Diversity stars step into 'huge shoes' of Kiss breakfast, Officer who shot black man 'meant to deploy Taser'. ‘Routine’s central message was a call for social cohesion and unity,’ investigation found, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. This group is intended to be a voice for the voiceless and to provide hope to the hopeless. BRITAIN'S Got Talent has been hit with a staggering 21,673 complaints over Diversity’s Black Lives Matter routine. Read about our approach to external linking. More than 24,000 complained to Ofcom because the dance depicted their support for the Black Lives Matter movement, including a stylised reenactment of George Floyd ’s murder by US police. The number of complaints about an episode of Britain's Got Talent, which featured a Black Lives Matters-inspired routine by dance troupe Diversity, has risen to 15,500, Ofcom has said. Complaints Cross 21,000 for Black Lives Matter-Inspired ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Routine, Judge Details Racist Abuse Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon also denied reports that she had threatened to quit ITV if they apologised for the performance, but did express support for the performance itself. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. But Iâll Just let the performance talk. "Black Lives Matter." A Black Lives Matter-inspired dance performance on Britain’s Got Talent will not be investigated by Ofcom, it has been confirmed. Official complaints over Diversity’s dance inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement on Britain’s Got Talent have increased to 2,966. Part of the Diversity performance saw Banjo lying on the floor while a dancer dressed as a police officer handcuffed him. Ofcom said there were 1,121 complaints … We will continue to fight racial injustice. A Black Lives Matter -inspired routine on “Britain’s Got Talent” by street dance troupe Diversity has resulted in 10,000 complaints from the public to U.K. media regulator Ofcom. Ofcom said there were 1,121 complaints about BGT, mostly regarding Diversity. Ashley Banjo led Saturday's routine, which saw him being knelt on by a police officer, a reference to George Floyd's death in police custody. They also declared that they would not pursue action against ITV. More than 24,000 complaints had been made to Ofcom in the wake of the performance, which saw dance act Diversity memorialise George Floyd and celebrate the Black Lives Matter movement. Diversity's Black Lives Matter-inspired dance on BGT receives more than 1,000 complaints Jessica Sansome & Brett Gibbons . The winners performed a powerful routine that touched on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police, and the Black Lives Matter … The show was compiled for a family audience.". The other seven competitors will now face the public vote in the hope of landing the other place. As complaints over Diversity’s Black Lives Matter performance on Britain’s Got Talent soared, Ashley’s younger brother and fellow Diversity member Jordan … DIVERSITY dance troupe have been backed by ITV officials after they received a huge backlash to their Black Lives Matter inspired performance on a recent episode of Britain's Got Talent. Diversity then all took a knee before the song Black Lives Matter by Dax, featuring the lyrics "I can't breathe" - the last words uttered by Mr Floyd. Black Lives Matter Huntington Beach has 190 members. © 2021 BBC. ASHLEY Banjo has defended Diversity’s powerful Black Lives Matter routine after it sparked 1,121 complaints from Britain’s Got Talent viewers. Read about our approach to external linking. The group's moving performance was dedicated to Black Lives Matter In a statement Ofcom said: “We carefully considered a large number of complaints about this artistic routine, an area where freedom of expression is particularly important. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Britain's Got Talent: Diversity's Black Lives Matter performance sparks almost 3,000 complaints. A BGT spokesperson said: "Diversity's performance offered their take on the extraordinary events of 2020 opening up important topics of conversation. Despite receiving more than 24,000 complaints from viewers, the … Ofcom confirmed that complaints against Diversity's performance soared to 15,500 in less than a week. Ofcom won't be taking action against Britain's Got Talent over Diversity's Black Lives Matter performance. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? There was no confirmation of the exact nature of the complaints but the performance attracted both praise and scorn on social media for its political stance, with Banjo referring to both in his tweet after the show. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Some 1,675 complaints have been made about last weekend’s Britain’s Got Talent episode, which saw judge Alesha Dixon wear a Black Lives Matter necklace. ITV previously stood behind the performance in a statement, stating that Britain’s Got Talent “showcases diversity and supports strong storytelling in all forms”, calling the routine “an authentic, heartfelt response to many of the issues and events which have affected society in 2020”. 'I miss my brother' George Floyd, court hears, The state's case against ex-cop Derek Chauvin. Other performers crowded around with smartphones as if to film and take photos of the incident. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Diversity’s Britain’s Got Talent performance which featured dances relating to the Black Lives Matter movement and police brutality has received over 24,000 complaints to Ofcom. Ofcom says it has received almost 3,000 complaints … 08/09/2020. Follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. Following the routine by previous winners Diversity on Saturday night, hundreds of people complained to … Thousands of messages of Love and support - Thank you ð¤ For the thousands of messages of hate and ignorance - Thank you. More than 10,000 people have now complained to Ofcom following a dance inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement performed on Britain's Got Talent. Video, The state's case against ex-cop Derek Chauvin, Saving the home of the 'Octopus Teacher' Video, Manhunt after 'execution' shooting in Paris, Will Smith film leaves Georgia over voting laws, Royal brothers pay tribute to 'Grandpa' Philip, France moves to ban short-haul domestic flights, BBC 'gets 100,000 complaints' over Prince Philip, 'World's biggest rabbit' stolen from garden, The Friends reunion has been filmed in Los Angeles. Sending nothing but love to you all ðð½ð¬ð§ #Diversity pic.twitter.com/3kP0ymUj88. However in … Alesha Dixon stood up for her fellow BGT judge Ashley Banjo after his dance routine about BLM sparked 10,000 complaints The dance involved talking points of the Black Lives Matter … The choreographer shared press clippings f… Ofcom ultimately ruled that none of the concerns were valid based on their existing criteria, which investigated whether the routine broke acceptable standards, encouraged dangerous behaviour or expressed impartial views. A performance on Britain’s Got Talent by dance troupe Diversity inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement has now received more than 20,428 complaints to TV watchdog Ofcom. “Diversity’s performance referred to challenging and potentially controversial subjects, and in our view, its central message was a call for social cohesion and unity. VideoThe state's case against ex-cop Derek Chauvin, Swiss cheese shows why Covid is so hard to stop, Quick guide to Russia-Ukraine military tensions, The anti-vax movement targeting German children, Saving the home of the 'Octopus Teacher' VideoSaving the home of the 'Octopus Teacher', Teenagers to taxi drivers: Myanmar's coup victims, 'We have similarities that we forget about', BBC Travel: A seafaring people with five genders, Covid accelerates India's millionaire exodus, How a small African territory has upset China. Diversity have also been approached for comment. You highlight exactly what needs to change. Daunte Wright was fatally shot after an officer mistook her gun for a Taser, the police chief says. the words which George Floyd repeatedly said as he was restrained. This may be why ITV has been apparently blindsided by the backlash against Diversity’s Black Lives Matter-themed dance routine at last weekend’s semi-finals. Alesha Dixon has been praised for wearing a Black Lives Matter necklace for the Britain's Got Talent semi final after the show has found itself in the centre of controversy this week. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Any depictions of violence by the performers were highly stylised and symbolic of recent global events, and there was no explicit reference to any particular political organisation – but rather a message that the lives of black people matter.”. What happens to your body in extreme heat? The dance was also narrated, and included the line: "What we thought we knew, some clearly didn't. More than 24,000 complaints had been made to Ofcom in the wake of the performance, which saw dance act Diversity memorialise George Floyd and celebrate the Black Lives Matter movement. The state's case against ex-cop Derek Chauvin. Estée Lauder will hire more black employees as part of plans to address diversity after staffers urged the company to address race-related issues. Banjo, who is also a BGT judge, said Diversity "wanted to express how the events of this year have made us feel". Diversity received a standing ovation from the judges when their performance came to an end in Saturday’s show and many fans took to Twitter to praise the troupe for their efforts. "We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate," an Ofcom spokesperson told the BBC. A Black Lives Matters-inspired performance by dance troupe Diversity on ITV's Britain's Got Talent has received hundreds of complaints. 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