Viewers have lodged official complaints about one particular moment during the new series opener
The Britain's Got Talent judges during the new auditions
Britain's Got Talent fans have lodged official complaints about one particular moment during the new series opener after Simon Cowell warned people probably wouldn't be happy.
Now in its 18th series, this year's run of the ITV talent show is set to be the longest in the programme's history. It all kicked off on Saturday night (February 22) with the auditions all being filmed in Blackpool at the Winter Gardens.
It's now been revealed that hundreds of complaints have been made about Britain’s Got Talent contestant Auzzy Blood, after his horror-themed performance took a gruesome turn.
Media watchdog Ofcom said it has received a total of 771 complaints for the launch episode of season 18 of the ITV show, which aired on Saturday.
A spokeswoman for Ofcom said: "The vast majority of complaints were about Auzzy Blood’s routine. Around 90 of the complainants also complained about nudity in Akira Ohashi’s routine."
The episode saw US cabaret performer Blood, real name Austin Punton, who competed previously on America’s Got Talent, insert a series of metallic objects into his face. The act, who calls himself a "walking freak show" on Instagram, then ran a tube into his mouth and out of his nose for judge Simon Cowell to drink through.
Auzzy Blood's auditioned aired during the first episode of the new series
The judges looked horrified by the act and turned away at points as it climaxed with the performer climbing up a rope using a metal hook in his mouth. Despite concerns from judge Alesha Dixon, Blood was voted through to the next stage of the competition, with Simon describing the performance as "one of my favourite acts of the day".
Taking to social media, one wrote on X: "I don't mine these acts, and happily watch. But again is this really suitable material for family viewing on a saturday evening." Another said: "Noooo nooooo, I'm 100% having nightmares tonight."
A third commented: "THIS is the exact kind of act I HATE. I look away whenever there is anything gory or daredevil." Others claimed the audition should not have been aired on the show. "This act should not be shown on tv," one viewer fumed. "It’s disgusting! Kids watch this!!!"
It comes after Simon himself revealed that this year's series features a shocking audition that will likely see the show hit with complaints.
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Recalling Blood's horrific audition at the press launch of the new Britain’s Got Talent series, the 65-year-old said: "We do have kids in the audience. I’m always looking behind, going do they like it? They actually, yeah they do. We probably will get some complaints, yeah.”
The audition also saw Blood put a corkscrew up his nose, which then came out of his mouth through the back of his throat, to which Simon joked: "I love it when they say don’t try this at home. Like we’ve all got screws just waiting to do that."
