Britain's Got Talent's most controversial golden buzzer acts of all time as fans beg ‘get rid of them!'
The
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Britain's Got Talent has been a TV staple since launching in 2007
Credit: PA:Press Association
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Each judge - as well as hosts Ant and Dec - have a a Golden Buzzer
Credit: ITV
Over the years, various Golden Buzzer acts have come under scrutiny - including for being recognisable before Britain's Got Talent.
From the 2025 series, a new twist saw Golden Buzzers
Although one finalist per semi final qualifies by public vote, the second is selected via a Golden Buzzer.
Writing online, viewers have hit out at both the new twist and the Golden Buzzer format as a whole.
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Read more on BGT
One penned: "
Can they get rid of this golden buzzer thing its unfair #BGT
,"
Another added: "Please get rid of that golden buzzer. It's lost it's purpose and it's just stupid now."
While a third chimed in: "they need to get rid of the golden buzzer in the semi finals."
Listed below are some examples of Golden Buzzer acts who have proven to be controversial choices for the prize.
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Max Fox
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Singer Max Fox had a unique beginning to his BGT journey
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Singer Max Fox took part in Britain's Got Talent 2025 - and
Max's audition went viral as he was originally an audience member but begged Simon Cowell to let him perform.
espite Simon's surprised reaction, some fans weren't buying it.
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One penned on Reddit: "I know that in episode 8 Simon went to great lengths about the fact that Max was not a set up.
"But somebody getting up from the audience and going on to get a Golden Buzzer seems too contrived or am I being too cynical?"
Another said: "Then I'm sorry but you're wrong, that was the most painfully setup thing I've seen on that show, and that's saying something."
While a third offered some context: "I've actually been a producer for several decades - so my take on this is that probably Simon and the panel did not know about this, but the production team had to.
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"Any thing like this needs rehearsal and production on the sound/mix.
"That level of production could not be spontaneous."
Maya Giotea
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Fans unearthed Maya Giotea's TV past
Credit: ITV
Aged just 14,
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Former Strictly judge
Bruno
was so impressed that he awarded her the Golden Buzzer within a second of her finishing her final note.
But viewers soon unearthed Maya's TV past - having
auditioned for
's Got Talent in her home country.
The teen received a standing ovation after belting out another
power
ballad, this time
Taking to X following her audition, one viewer said: "Maya Giotea who got the golden buzzer on #bgt tonight was on Romania Got Talent & got through to the live show."
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Another added: "Yet again been on Romania's got talent and got the golden buzzer even though there is none left!!"
Sydnie Christmas
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Sydnie Christmas was crowned BGT winner in 2024
Credit: Rex
Sydnie Christmas was crowned the winner of Britain's Got Talent in 2024.
She received
Amanda Holden
's Golden Buzzer at her audition after performing "Tomorrow" from Annie.
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At the time, she was 28 years old and had been working as the receptionist at a gym.
However, viewers criticised Sydnie receiving the Golden Buzzer after her background as a stage performer was revealed.
Some claimed her performing experience gave her an advantage over other acts.
One fan wrote on X: "Why did Sydnie get a Golden Buzzer. She's a professional for goodness sake."
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Another remarked: "No way. She's either got an album out already or has been signed somewhere. Sydnie is pro already I reckon."
Although others felt Sydnie deserved the honour, as one wrote: "I cried through her amazing performance.
"Wow...and she even converted Simon! She's got the charm to go with that spectacular voice. Good for her. Sydnie
Christmas
is a star."
Axel Blake
8
Comedian Axel Blake took home the crown in 2022
Credit: Rex
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Viewers watched comedian Axel Blake
Axel impressed the judges with his audition routine - earning Simon's
Fans were fuming when they learned the comedian
on worldwide streaming platform
Amazon
Prime.
Speaking in an interview after his win, Axel said: "I understand that you can't always win everybody over and that everyone is entitled to their
opinion
.
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"The word 'fix' is a strong one, I don't think somebody trying to become a household name and take their career to the
next
step should be punished for exploring every avenue possible to be able to
showcase
their love and craft."
He added: "Whilst some people will know of me, there are a lot of people out there who don't and it's about trying to make sure I am chasing all those opportunities out there, to help me stand out amongst all the amazing comedians and entertainers in what is a very competitive industry."
MB14
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Fans branded MB14's Golden Buzzer "a fix" after discovering his past success
Credit: Rex
French beatboxer MB14 entered Britain's Got Talent in 2023 - receiving Ant and Dec's Golden Buzzer at his audition.
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However,
He finished second on The Voice
France
in 2016 and subsequently signed a record deal with Polydor, which he later left.
MB14 was formerly part of beatboxing group Berywam and was said to have 35,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
One viewer wrote online: "Just googled him. He has been on
The voice
France
as a runner up. Obviously scouted."
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Another agreed: "Just an ordinary lad with 95m views on YouTube."
While a third commented: "Another well known person auditioning for #BGT."
Akshat Singh
8
Akshat Singh had already made a name for himself before joining BGT
Credit: Rex Features
Schoolboy Akshat Singh from Mumbai,
India
, pumped up the crowd with his energetic dance routine and feel good catch-phrase.
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He
Akshat was already a well-known dancer, having first come into the spotlight in Bengali dance reality show: Dance Bangla Dance.
Following this, he participated in
India
's Got Talent where he became an overnight sensation.
Further appearances included
India
's Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and the Ellen DeGeneres show in America.
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One viewer wrote: "The kids b****y already famous! Recognise him as soon as I see him wasn't even that good to be given the golden buzzer".
Another shared: "What a waste of Ant and Decs Golden Buzzer. A movie star etc saw him do same routine on Ellen last year.
"As usual the seem to think the great viewing public are dim and can't spot a plant act."
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.
Colin Thackery - 2019:
Elderly war veteran Colin won BGT in 2019, but
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
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
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