BRITAIN’S Got Talent’s original winner Paul Potts has waded into the judge ‘fix row’ after fans fumed over the live semi finals.
Many BGT viewers have felt that the judges have deliberately split their votes every night to send the outcome to the public vote – making the whole point of their judging and ability to save an act a ‘waste of time.’
And Paul, 53, agrees that the deadlock is becoming very frustrating and the format needs shaking up as a result.
Speaking to Sky Bingo, the tenor said: “It’s happened [a deadlock] in every show and it happens almost every year. Some should argue that the judges should just judge.
” I think BGT needs five judges. They need an odd number to make it work better. Then it actually becomes judging.
He continued: ” I get why they don’t want to send children home and break a child’s heart but at some point, they have to make a decision. Having an even number means you always have that risk that it’s going to keep going to deadlock.
“You might as well have it all done on audience votes. Another option is to give a casting vote. It will be interesting to see if it has an impact on the final.”
Would Paul fancy that fifth judging spot himsel, if the show was to add an extra person alongside Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Bruno Tonioli?
“Of course, I’d love to do it – make me the fifth judge!” he smiled. “I’ve done guest judging before so I have the experience!”
And if Paul was to join the show on a permanent basis, he would bring back a ‘lost’ part of the series that he believes needs to return.
Paul explained: “In the very early stages of BGT they had a wild card and it was voted by the public. That should be brought back – a public vote for all those who finished third and who should be brought back.
“Then that has some independence rather than being down to the judges to decide who comes back. The judges’ save is neither here nor there.”
Paul won the show way back in 2007 and went on to be so successful, a film about his life story was made.
One Chance starred James Corden as Paul and was a box office hit.
As for who he thinks is the one to watch this year, he has his money on an act from last night’s semi-final.
Paul said: “There’s obviously a few acts to go yet the semi finals and some will stand a chance. But I do think Sydnie Christmas is favourite for a reason.
“It does also come down to how you perform on the night in the final. I like Innocent Masuku and Mike Woodhams is a dark horse. I do think Sydnie has a strong chance.”
Last night Sydnie topped the public vote and went straight through to the final.
She was joined by singing impressionist Mike once the judges sent the decision to the public vote.
Leightonjay Halliday was sent packing as a result.
Britain's Got Talent's biggest 'fix' rows
Britain's Got Talent has been plagued with 'fix' rows over the years. How many of these do you remember?
Jasmine Elcock – 2016: Teenage singer Jasmine Elcock stunned the nation with her version of Cher’s Believe. But it then transpired she had already performed professionally in London’s West End. Jasmine, 14, admitted: “I’ve performed in Annie in the West End at about the age of nine or 10, but I really get nervous.”
IrShad Shaikh – 2017: BGT fans were left questioning the rule book when IrShad Shaikh auditioned. He got four red buzzers from the judges, which would usually mean an instant dismissal. Yet in a strange turn of events, they let him continue with his act…and put him through to the next round.
Colin Thackery – 2019: Elderly war veteran Colin won BGT in 2019, but there was an outcry over the final. He warbled his place to win with a version of We’ll Meet Again but fans were furious that escapologist Jonathan Goodwin didn’t even rank in the top three. Viewers felt Jonathan – who almost suffocated while being buried alive in a gravel pit – should have won.
Axel Blake – 2022: Comedian Axel Blake was given a Golden Buzzer in 2022 after making the judges laugh. But fans were fuming when they discovered Axel already had a show on worldwide streaming platform Amazon Prime. Despite this, Axel still went on to win the series.
Loren Allred – 2022: The 2022 series of BGT was hit with another controversy when singer Loren Allred also received a Golden Buzzer. She performed Never Enough from the smash hit musical movie The Greatest Showman and got a standing ovation. It later transpired Loren was actually the original voice behind the track.
Taryn Charles – 2024: Singer Taryn Charles is one of this year’s hopefuls lucky enough to receive the Golden Buzzer. Bruno Tonilio put her straight through to the semi-finals following her performance of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin, but it has now come to light that she is no stranger to TV. Viewers recognised Taryn from an episode of ITV1’s Starstruck, where she impersonated Whitney Houston for judges Olly Murs, Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert and Beverley Knight.
On Tuesday night, magician Jack Rhodes and Japanese skipping act Haribow made it through to the final.
And the semi finals week kicked off with Innocent and Sslaubi Performance Troupe becoming the first two acts to be sent through to the last showdown this weekend.
Britain’s Got Talent continues tonight at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.