Britain's Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli says Auzzy Blood's act ‘not offensive'
The US contestant, whose real name is Austin Punton, inserted a series of metallic objects into his face, before running a tube into his mouth and out of his nose for judge Simon Cowell to drink through, during his first performance on the ITV talent show in February.
The act concluded with the performer climbing up a rope using a metal hook in his mouth, as some of the judges looked away, with Britain's Got Talent receiving 771 Ofcom complaints in the aftermath of his performance and that of Japanese performer Akira Ohashi, whose routine included nudity.
Speaking about Auzzy Blood, who previously competed on America's Got Talent, Tonioli said: 'He does make you cringe but it's a very, very, very sophisticated act in a way.
'It's presentation, to me, it was a bit like the Hammer House Of Horror feel, these movies that had this kind of wonderful, gothic feel to (them).
'It's part of the range of entertainment, these acts are huge in Vegas, it does make you squeal, but I don't think it's offensive, I think, because there is a lot of skill in what he does, and the way it's presented is quite fascinating.
'What is incredible, and what I like about the show, he's exciting, we (didn't) know what was going to happen, and it's open to all parts of what we call variety.
'(Going back in time) these acts were part of the range of entertainers that they used to show, so there is naturally a historical precedence to it, it's not something that we (said) let's do it for shock value.
'It is something that is out there and it has been around within this canon of variety for hundreds of years.
'I don't think it's that shocking, but I mean that is my opinion, and I respect everyone else's.'
The 69-year-old went on to say 'the worst thing you can do' on the show is 'be boring', adding he felt Britain's Got Talent had to present a 'range' of acts.
He added: 'I don't see why you shouldn't see it (Auzzy Blood's act), obviously it creates a reaction, but within that kind of act it was very good, and it's a variety show, I don't think it was done intentionally (to get a reaction).'
Tonioli went on to say that performing in US entertainment hotspot Las Vegas was the aim for acts like Auzzy Blood, and added he would 'go down very well there'.
Britain's Got Talent's first live semi-final will take place at 7pm on Saturday on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
The semi-finals will consist of eight acts performing live for the chance to reach the final, where they could win a £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the bill of the Royal Variety Performance.
The five live shows will see judges Tonioli, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon given a golden buzzer to send a contestant straight through to the final.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
ITV Emmerdale pays tribute as TikTok nan Norma dies aged 91
Norma Burton, known for being part of the TikTok and social media duo Jess and Norma, has died aged 91. Jess and Norma are a popular grandmother and granddaughter duo who have gained more than two million followers. Following Norma's death, tributes have come flooding in, including from ITV soap Emmerdale, of which she was a huge fan. A post shared by Jess and Norma (@jessandnorma) A post from the Jess and Norma account reads: "05/06/2025 the day our family lost our rock, our everything, our beautiful, precious, perfect lady. "We are all truly devastated and our lives will never be the same. We want you all to know that Nan fell to sleep peacefully, surrounded by all her family, she was full of love and had the most beautiful care. "If anyone deserves a place in heaven, it's you Nanny Norma. Social media and our community online made Nan's last years so incredibly special, her cup was full and in her own words she 'lived such a wonderful life'. "91 years was never going to be enough and she has left the biggest hole in all of our hearts. Reunited with her husband and family, until we meet again, our queen." She loves her sweets 🤣 Many tributes from fans of the account have been pouring in since the announcement. ITV soap Emmerdale, in which Norma was a big fan, said: "We are so so sorry to read this. "Norma was such a shining star who brought so much joy and happiness to so many people. Sending love to all of the family." Norma had previously been invited to an Emmerdale experience to celebrate 10,000 episodes of the show. A post shared by Jess and Norma (@jessandnorma) Social media stars, TV personalities and actors have also sent their love. Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon (Bethany Platt) said: "Oh Jess, I am absolutely heartbroken for you all. She was a gorgeous lady and it was a privilege to meet you both. Sending you lots of love." Recommended reading: Singer Jade Thirlwall said: "Sending you and your family so much love. "Norma brought so much joy to so many, she reminded me of my own Nanna (I would sometimes watch your videos with tears of joy) and helped me heal, as I'm sure is the case for so many people on here. "What a special lady and family you are."
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
ITV ‘cut flights for Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier' amid hundreds of redundancies on Loose Women and This Morning
ITV are said to have cut flights abroad for Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier amid hundreds of redundancies. Sweeping changes were announced in May to ITV Daytime shows. 5 The changes will impact the likes of This Morning, Loose Women and Lorraine. More than 220 jobs will be lost as part of the shake-up — meaning almost half of the 450 employed on the four flagship shows will be let go. Cuts will be made to staff working on the likes of GMB, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women. And now the channel has stopped sending Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier to tropical destinations for the competition segments of Daytime shows. According to MailOnline, ITV feel it is "bad taste" to keep sending Andi, 54, and Jeff, 46, to lavish locations after the announcement of the company's cuts. Already in 2025, Andi has been flown to Australia, Cape Town, the Maldives and Florida to host competition segments. Meanwhile, Jeff has been seen plugging competitions from Sri Lanka, Malta and Thailand. According to the outlet, a source has said: "TV have scaled back on sending top talent overseas to present their competition segments." The source added: "The competitions themselves, which give viewers the chance to win six figure sums and idyllic holidays, bring in a great deal of revenue. "But constantly flying the likes of Andi and Jeff to the Maldives and South Africa was starting to frustrate staff and viewers alike. The 1% Club knocks out a whopping 16 celebs with easy anagram question "It was decided that they would dial down for a few weeks after the budget cuts were announced and no one has flown overseas to present the competitions since." They added how as well as viewers being "disgruntled" about, "it was felt continuing to send talent abroad to luxurious holiday destinations as others are losing their jobs would be in bad taste". The Sun reached out to ITV but they declined to comment. This comes amid ITV's shocking shakeup that will see hundreds of people lose their jobs at the channel. Good Morning Britain will be extended by 30 minutes to run from 6am to 9.30am daily. Lorraine will run from 9.30am-10am, on a seasonal basis for 30 weeks of the year. During the weeks Lorraine is not on air, Good Morning Britain will run from 6am to 10am. This Morning will remain in its 10am-12.30pm slot on weekdays throughout the year. Loose Women will be in the 12.30-1.30pm slot, again on a seasonal basis for 30 weeks of the year. The changes will take effect from January 2026. 5 5
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
ITV ‘cut flights for Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier' amid hundreds of redundancies on Loose Women and This Morning
The channel has axed some of the presenters' perks AXED PERKS ITV 'cut flights for Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier' amid hundreds of redundancies on Loose Women and This Morning Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ITV are said to have cut flights abroad for Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier amid hundreds of redundancies. Sweeping changes were announced in May to ITV Daytime shows. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 ITV has put a stop to trips abroad for Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier Credit: ITV 5 The two presenters usually host the competition segments on ITV Daytime shows Credit: ITV The changes will impact the likes of This Morning, Loose Women and Lorraine. More than 220 jobs will be lost as part of the shake-up — meaning almost half of the 450 employed on the four flagship shows will be let go. Cuts will be made to staff working on the likes of GMB, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women. And now the channel has stopped sending Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier to tropical destinations for the competition segments of Daytime shows. According to MailOnline, ITV feel it is "bad taste" to keep sending Andi, 54, and Jeff, 46, to lavish locations after the announcement of the company's cuts. Already in 2025, Andi has been flown to Australia, Cape Town, the Maldives and Florida to host competition segments. Meanwhile, Jeff has been seen plugging competitions from Sri Lanka, Malta and Thailand. According to the outlet, a source has said: "TV have scaled back on sending top talent overseas to present their competition segments." The source added: "The competitions themselves, which give viewers the chance to win six figure sums and idyllic holidays, bring in a great deal of revenue. "But constantly flying the likes of Andi and Jeff to the Maldives and South Africa was starting to frustrate staff and viewers alike. The 1% Club knocks out a whopping 16 celebs with easy anagram question "It was decided that they would dial down for a few weeks after the budget cuts were announced and no one has flown overseas to present the competitions since." They added how as well as viewers being "disgruntled" about, "it was felt continuing to send talent abroad to luxurious holiday destinations as others are losing their jobs would be in bad taste". The Sun reached out to ITV but they declined to comment. This comes amid ITV's shocking shakeup that will see hundreds of people lose their jobs at the channel. Good Morning Britain will be extended by 30 minutes to run from 6am to 9.30am daily. Lorraine will run from 9.30am-10am, on a seasonal basis for 30 weeks of the year. During the weeks Lorraine is not on air, Good Morning Britain will run from 6am to 10am. This Morning will remain in its 10am-12.30pm slot on weekdays throughout the year. Loose Women will be in the 12.30-1.30pm slot, again on a seasonal basis for 30 weeks of the year. The changes will take effect from January 2026. 5 This comes as cuts will soon be made to staff working on the likes of GMB, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women Credit: ITV 5 The announcement was made last month Credit: ITV
