AFTER a mammoth five weeks of semi-finals, the Britain’s Got Talent final is finally here.

Tonight’s supersized show – which runs for two hours and 45 minutes – will see the finalists battling it out for a chance to perform at The Royal Variety Show and a £250,000 cash prize.

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The Blackouts also got through the first semi-finalCredit: Tom Dymond

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Judge Simon Cowell was pelted with eggs during the 2013 finalCredit: ITV

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The protest was planned by Natalie HoltCredit: Rex Features
Comedian Joseph Charm and singers Jasmine Rice and Stacey Leadbetter are up against nine-year-old dancer Benita Chetry,

Other acts include, Ping Pong Pang, who combine table tennis skills with dance, and the Hear Our Voice choir, which is made up of 39 people who have been impacted by the Post Office scandal.

As well as creating stars like Susan Boyle and Diversity, the show’s final has had its own fair share of controversies over the years.

We take a look back at all of the biggest controversies that plagued the show’s finale and proved you really do have to go big or go home.

Singing duo Richard and Adam were in the middle of their moving rendition of The Impossible Dream during the series seven final, when one of their supporting musicians rushed to the front of the stage to pelt Simon Cowell with eggs.

Natalie Holt was escorted from the stage by security, and later admitted she had planned to launch her protest against the music mogul after they finished their performance.

She apologised profusely for spoiling their big moment but she had no such remorse for Simon, telling the Guardian that she had pelted him because he has too much power and influence in the entertainment industry.

She also revealed she had been asked to mime during the performance which made it easy for her to put down her violin to pull the organic eggs from her tights.

But she thanked Simon for not pressing charges. She added: “As an act of goodwill I would also be happy to offer to pay for his dry cleaning bill or buy him a new shirt, maybe with a few more buttons at the top.”

Britain’s Got Talent branded a ‘fix’ by fuming viewers after ‘wrong act’ gets through to finals

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2015 Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jules O’Dwyer and MatisseCredit: Splash News

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A different dog was used for part of the final actCredit: PA:Press Association
Outraged viewers felt cheated when it transpired that they had been misled by winner of series nine, Jules O’Dwyer, about her dancing dog Matisse.

The winning performance included a tightrope walk but it was revealed the next day that a different dog stepped in for that part of the act.

Jules defended her decision to employ a stand in, stating that the real Matisse was afraid of heights.

Ofcom received hundreds of complaints over the 2015 incident, with people even sending death threats to the pair.

It was ruled that ITV had misled the public – though Jules was not stripped of her £250,00 prize money.

Shock injury

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The team members collided in mid-air during a stuntCredit: Rex

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The South Korean group lost out to singer Sydnie Christmas in the 2024 finalCredit: Rex
Performance troupe Ssaulabi were midway through their stunt-filled routine when two of its members collided mid-air, with horrific consequences.

One teammate fell to the stage and landed awkwardly on his foot, before trying to stand up and collapsing.

Judge Alesha Dixon recoiled in horror as the performer was forced to crawl off the stage in agony.

It was later revealed he had broken his foot.

A BGT statement issued the following morning read: “During last night’s live final, a member of Ssaulabi Performance Troupe was injured.

“He was quickly seen by our onsite medical team before going to hospital for further treatment. All at BGT wish him a speedy recovery.'”

 

Fix claims

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Kojo Anim was in the 2020 BGT finalCredit: Rex Features

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Alesha was accused of voting for Kojo because he was her friend
When comedian Kojo Anim was voted through to the final in 2020, judge Alesha Dixon was accused of voting for him because they are good friends.

Alesha reportedly knew Kojo through her husband, dancer Azuka Ononye, and she toldher fellow judges and the audience: “I have known Kojo for many, many years.”

The Mis-teeq singer was also accused of favouritism when she sent contestant Lifford Shillingford through to the final with her golden buzzer.

It later emerged Alesha already knew Lifford from back in the day when he’d supported Mis-teeq on tour.

Alesha hit back though and said: “He’s not a friend. That sounds cold, but I don’t have his phone number.

“I haven’t seen him in years. When I say I know him, I know his music. I remember him from back in the day. There were shows that Mis-Teeq were doing that he was too. There was just a mutual respect and understanding between us.”

Anonymous blog

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An anonymous blog claimed the star knew Simon Cowell before the showCredit: ITV

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Ronan Parke performed on the show in 2011Credit: ITV
Back in 2011, an anonymous blogger accused child star Ronan Parke of having connections to show boss Simon Cowell before appearing for the show.

Ronan was the runner-up after losing out to Scottish singer Jai McDowall in the final.

The blogger claimed to be an anonymous Sony Music source who said that no act had won the show who hadn’t been an “invited or preferred” contestant.

And they claimed that Simon had known Ronan for two years and that the youngster had signed a deal with his record label.

After being questioned by police, the blogger apologised and admitted having no connection to Cowell, Syco or Ronan.

A spokeswoman for Sony Music said at the time: “A man has now admitted responsibility for the wholly untrue blogs relating to Ronan Parke and the false allegations against Britain’s Got Talent, Sony Music and Syco. He has admitted he has absolutely no connection with Ronan Parke, Sony Music, Syco, or Britain’s Got Talent.”

Nepo baby claims

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BGT bosses defended Issy after Nepo baby hateCredit: PA:Press Association

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Issy Simpson during the audition stage for ITV1’s talent showCredit: PA:Press Association
In 2017, eight-year-old Issy Simpson won her place in the final after stunning the audience and judges by reading Simon Cowell’s mind.

But her joy at making it to the final was tarnished after it was revealed that her grandad was well known in the magic world and was the main magic man behind the scenes for BGT.

 

BGT bosses defended Issy and said she had won her spot fair and square saying: “Russ Stevens (Issy’s grandad) is a magic expert, who was used as a freelance magic consultant for two shows only in 2014. He has not been contracted since.

“Issy went through the same process as any other act and was judged on her performance on the day.”