Britain's Got Talent's surprising moments - tearful breakdown to judges' smooch
The final of this year's Britain's Got Talent airs tonight, with the remaining acts hoping to impress the judges, audience and viewers at home. Here, the Mirror has taken a look back at the most shocking moments from the long-running ITV talent show
After weeks of acts from across the nation taking to the stage with their vocals, dance moves and peculiar skills, the final of Britain's Got Talent airs tonight.
The judges, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli, and guest judge KSI, certainly had their hands full as a myriad of acts rallied for a place in the final on Saturday, May 31. The victorious act will walk away with a hefty £250,000 cash prize and a slot to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
The grand final on Saturday will showcase semi-final golden buzzer winners The Blackouts, Olly Pearson, Jasmine Rice, Joseph Charm, and, most recently, Harry Moulding. Joining them, thanks to winning the public vote in the semi-finals, are Vinnie McKee, Stacey Leadbeatter, Ping Pong Pang, Hear Our Voice, and nine-year-old dancing sensation Binita.
As we watch the 2025 BGT final, we've taken a trip down memory lane and revisited some of the show's most shocking moments...
Final withdraw
Susan Boyle's 2009 audition remains one of the most unforgettable moments in BGT history. However, Simon disclosed that he offered the singer the chance to withdraw from the final.
After capturing the nation's hearts with her rendition of Les Misérables' classic, 'I Dreamed a Dream,' Susan attracted massive media attention, leading music mogul Simon to have a candid chat with the singer.
While on Lorraine, Simon explained: "The lead up to the week of the final we sat down with her and her friends. We said, 'Look, if it's too stressful, because it's all over the media...'
"She said it was fine, she's going to do it. And I'm thinking, 'Fine, she's going to win.' And I'll never forget it [when they said] 'The winner is Diversity'.
"I was on that stage under 20 seconds saying into her [ear], 'We've got an album deal. Literally from that moment."
Simon stated that from that point forward, it was up to her when she wanted to make an album and assured that she was "part of the family" now.
Tearful breakdown
When ten-year-old Hollie Steel appeared on the show in 2009, it was heart-wrenching to watch her total collapse as she forgot the lyrics to her song. Visibly trembling and crying, Hollie ran off the stage to her mother, leaving viewers questioning whether the pressure of the show was simply too much for someone so young.
She pleaded for another chance to perform, and producers initially refused, leaving Hollie distraught. She was eventually allowed to try her performance again at the end of the show, but viewers were still incensed at the debacle, claiming she was being exploited.
'Fixing'
BGT faced backlash from irate viewers who accused the show of "setting up" singer Jessica Hobson in 2011.
A heartbroken Jessica was reduced to tears after Simon and David Hasselhoff harshly criticised her rendition of Beyonce's Single Ladies. Simon dismissed the piano performance as "dated" and scoffed at her "silly dress".
When confronted by Ant and Dec about her song choice, she admitted: "I didn't choose what I wanted to sing.. Apparently it was somebody..." but before she could finish, her microphone was abruptly cut off, leading her to break down in tears.
This incident left viewers speculating whether the young singer had been deliberately undermined by producers' song selection. Allegations of the show's fixes have mounted with instances of contestants being headhunted rather than spontaneously auditioning.
After Kojo Anim secured his spot in the 2019 final, some pointed fingers at judge Alesha Dixon for favouritism, given their friendship. Alesha also had to justify her Golden Buzzer decision for Lifford Shillingford after it was revealed he had toured with her former band, Mis-Teeq, sparking further speculation of insider bias.
Sad loss
Ashleigh and Pudsey, the dog and owner duo, clinched victory in the sixth series of the show in 2012 and became the first canine act to win the competition. They told the hearts of the nation, and the pooch even starred in his own film, Pudsey: The Movie.
Sadly, Pudsey passed away in July 2017, and while Ashleigh now performs with another dog named Sully, she stated he would "never become Pudsey".
Infamous smooch
The unforgettable moment in 2013 when Simon audaciously kissed fellow judge Amanda's bottom is forever imprinted in our memories.
During a performance by 71-year-old Kelly Fox, who sang a cheeky number titled 'Kiss My Ass, Baby' by The All Purpose Blues Band, Amanda couldn't resist shaking her hips, prompting Simon, seemingly moved by the tune, to plant a kiss on her posterior.
Post-kiss, Simon cheekily asked Amanda: "I kissed your ass. Did you like that?" To which she responded with gratitude and amusement, saying: "It was a first."
Raunchy acts
During her audition in 2013, Keri Graham stripped to a scant outfit and presented Simon with an erotic lap dance, sparking complaints. The performance led to disgruntlement among several viewers, with one irate parent tweeting: "Nice family viewing as your child asks 'Mummy, why has that lady got hardly any clothes on, and what is she doing with those men?'"
When burlesque artist Beatrix Von Bourbon performed a dance that was deemed too racy in 2012, the show attracted further backlash. Over 70 viewers lodged complaints to Ofcom, disapproving of its suitability for a family audience.
Stunt double dog
In 2015, Jules O'Dwyer graced the stage with her dog Matisse and triumphantly won the show. However, there was an uproar among viewers when they discovered a stunt double dog was used instead of Matisse for a tightrope trick, igniting feelings of deception.
Jules explained that the real Matisse was scared of heights, which necessitated the use of a stand-in. But viewers were not convinced, as the dogs were identical and the act had been promoted as just Jules and Matisse.
Ofcom was inundated with over 200 complaints following the controversial incident, which even led to death threats being sent to the pair. It was ruled that ITV had misled the public, though Jules was not stripped of her £250,00 prize money.
Risqué gown
Amanda Holden left the audience stunned during BGT's grand finale in 2019 with her choice of a racy, transparent gown. The judge turned heads as she dazzled the crowd in her revealing ensemble decorated with floral patterns.
Her bold fashion choice came after Ofcom received complaints the previous week about her provocative wardrobe choices. Twitter, now X, was set ablaze with comments regarding Amanda's attire for the night.
One viewer wrote: "Amanda loves to show a bit of t** don't she #BGT." Another added: "Glad you've ignored the uptight critics!".
Winner boos
Comedian Viggo Venn was left stunned when he was announced as the winner in 2023, following his act of jumping around the stage in a giant balloon and dancing in his iconic hi-vis jackets. He sprinted around the stage in celebration, even knocking over host Ant McPartlin, as he scooped up the £250,000 prize and a spot on the Royal Variety Show.
However, the audience's reaction was marred by boos, prompting viewers to share their thoughts on X, formerly Twitter. One user posted: "Very surprised. But Viggo was very funny. Very distasteful for anyone to boo Viggo. Not his fault he won, people voted for him, not anyone else. Made it a sour end thanks to the audience reaction. Well done, Viggo!!!"
Another user tweeted: "Sounded like a lot of boos there when #ViggoVenn was announced as the winner of #BritainsGotTalent. I thought he was great, but a shock omission from the final 3, and I think everyone thought the young lad would win. Bit of a deflated, down-beat end to the series #BGT2023 #BGT."
One disgruntled viewer remarked: "Did you hear them boo's on @BGT? Quite right too, ridiculous. So much more talent in that final tonight. #BGT2023 should not have made the live shows. Poor winner."
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