Britain's Got Talent fans were left fuming as they claimed the first live semi-final was a 'fix' after the winner was announced
Britain's Got Talent viewers were less than pleased with the outcome of the first live semi-final that aired on Saturday, April 26.
The night was rife with unexpected incidents as Ant and Dec informed the audience that Teddy Magic would be missing his performance, and a technical hiccup delayed another act's appearance.
However, the real controversy brewed when Scottish vocalist Vinnie McKee was declared the public's favourite, clinching his way to the finals, prompting some fans to cry "fix".
While Linda Mudzenda and Eden Choi took second and third place respectively, dance ensemble The Blackouts received an immediate pass to the finale from judge Amanda Holden's golden buzzer.
A stunned Vinnie responded to his win with disbelief, telling the hosts: "This is mad, this is crazy!" But not everyone shared in his joy, with disgruntled fans soon voicing their discontent on social media, many arguing that Linda Mudzenda should've triumphed instead, reports the Express.
An irate viewer expressed on platform X: " Fixed. Sick of the boring singers." Another insisted: "Swear this is fixed."
And yet another dismayed fan remarked: "This show is so fixed." Additional criticisms included: "It's all fixed, why would the royal family want to see another singer."
Alongside comments lamenting: "Best two acts of the night going home. What a load of old s***. Left with two singers. Yawn. Might as well be XFactor."
But others were thrilled with the outcome, as one fan expressed online: "Wow what a great first semi final all acts were brilliant I'm so happy that Vinnie and the blackouts got into the final they both deserved it can't wait to see what semi final 2 will bring next week."
The results followed an eventful evening which saw Ant and Dec interrupt the programme with a concerning update.
After dinosaur rock band Heavysaurus kicked off the show, the presenters announced that the second act, Teddy Magic, "wasn't ready" to take the stage. Instead, they engaged in conversation with the judges about the opening performance.
"Now, Teddy isn't quite ready backstage yet. He hasn't got his magic up and ready yet, so we'll chat to you judges," Ant remarked, while Dec indicated there would be a "little change of plan". "Just while he gets himself ready and composed backstage," Ant continued.
Simon, taken aback, asked: "Hang on, so the act's not ready? It's okay, it's live," to which Ant humorously responded: "And he's only eight years old, so back off, man!"
Following their discussion with the judges, Dec stated they would proceed with the third act, Vinnie McKee, commenting: "We're gonna have a little change of plan now. We're going to go to something else and come back to Teddy later on."
However, later in the broadcast, the hosts confirmed that Teddy Magic would not be performing that evening and would instead return to perform later in the series.
Britain's Got Talent is on ITV1 on Saturdays and on ITVX
