Britain’s Got Talent has been boycotted after a prank by judges Simon Cowell and Bruno Tonioli.
According to Metro, in the latest episode of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) in Manchester (UK), the audience at the scene was shocked by the scene of Simon Cowell being shot by Bruno Tonioli with a crossbow, causing him to collapse to the floor.
The medical team was immediately called onto the stage to help Cowell, who was in pain. At that time, what happened seemed like a real accident, because BGT is famous for its dangerous performances.
However, when they learned that this was just a joke to attract attention to the show, the audience was outraged.
Laura Sugden – who claimed to have been the victim of a real crossbow attack – told The Sun: “The mockery was disgraceful.”
She added: “I can’t believe that was allowed on such a big show. Crossbows aren’t banned, but they are deadly weapons.”
Other commenters called for a boycott of the show because it deceived viewers with a life-threatening joke. They said that since the incident, respect for Cowell, Tonioli and the show, BGT, has fallen.
Under pressure from the public, a member of the show’s organising committee explained: “It was just a light-hearted skit between the judges. We didn’t mean to cause any offence.”
The new season of BGT will air in April. Choreographer Bruno Tonioli replaces comedian David Walliams as a judge.
Judge Amanda Holden said that after just a few weeks on the show, Tonioli had messed up the rules of BGT. “If Bruno Tonioli continues to do this, I’m afraid Simon will have to write a book about the rules of the show this year,” Holden told The Sun.
