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Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BGT's Bruno Tonioli issues blunt response to Ofcom complaints about ITV show
BGT's Bruno Tonioli issues blunt response to Ofcom complaints about ITV show The Britain's Got Talent judge didn't hold back when it came to responding to criticism Britain's Got Talent judge and former Strictly star Bruno Tonioli has addressed the slew of complaints received by Ofcom from ITV viewers regarding some contentious performances this year. At 69 years of age, Tonioli, who sits on the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and guest judge KSI, reacted following a wave of disapproval over several acts. Notably, Auzzy Blood's act drew approximately 700 complaints to Ofcom. Auzzy Blood, the stage name of Austin Punton, left audiences reeling with a horror-themed audition that saw him inserting metal items into his face. BGT judge Bruno Tonioli (Image: ITV ) Equally startling was Akira Ohashi's performance, which involved nudity and elicited about 90 complaints. Responding to the uproar, Bruno proposed that detractors might be better off engaging in quieter pastimes, such as "reading a book", reports Belfast Live. Article continues below Speaking to The Mirror, Bruno expressed his outlook: "I don't focus on the negative. Social media? Forget it. Life is too short. Read a book!" Bruno with the other judges (Image: WireImage ) Bruno has previously come to the defence of performer Auzzy Blood, telling Metro and others: "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." He extolled the virtues of the controversial acts, remarking to the press: "These acts are huge in Vegas. It does make you squeal, but I don't think it's offensive. There is a lot of skill in what he does, and the way it's presented is quite fascinating." Bruno revealed his enthusiasm for Auzzy Blood's performances, highlighting their thrilling unpredictability: "What is incredible, and what I like about the show is he's exciting. We didn't know what was going to happen, and it's open to all parts of what we call variety. Auzzy Blood received compliants from viewers (Image: ITV ) "There is historical precedence to it. It's not [just] shock value. It is something that is out there and it has been around within this canon of variety for hundreds of years." In 2023, Bruno secured a spot on the Britain's Got Talent judging panel, taking over from David Walliams for the programme's 16th series after spending 18 years critiquing on Strictly Come Dancing. David stepped away from his role on Britain's Got Talent following the release of off-screen comments made about participants. The statements, disclosed by The Guardian, were deemed derogatory and led to his exit from the popular talent show. Article continues below Britain's Got Talent Final airs Saturday May 31 at 7pm on ITV1.
Metro
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Bruno Tonioli delivers scathing 3-word response to BGT Ofcom complaints
Britain's Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli has responded to ITV viewers who lodged Ofcom complaints over certain acts from this year's show. Tonioli is among the judging panel set to whittle down the acts in tonight's semi-final and, as with most years on the show, the acts have drawn a strong reaction from ITV viewers – with semi-finalist Auzzy Blood even receiving 700 Ofcom complaints. Blood – whose real name is Austin Punton – and his horror-themed act garnered quite the reaction from viewers during his audition. The American contestant, who describes himself as a 'walking freak show', inserted several metallic objects into his face, among other stunts, during his live tryout. Akira Ohashi, who ditched all his clothes for his first routine, also received 90 Ofcom complaints during the same episode. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Yet Tonioli has now recommended that viewers who complained about the acts on the show should 'read a book'. Toniolo told The Mirror: 'I don't focus on the negative. Social media? Forget it. Life is too short. Read a book!' Toniolo has previously defended Auzzy Blood, telling the Metro and other press outlets: '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. More Trending 'These acts are huge in Vegas. It does make you squeal, but I don't think it's offensive. There is a lot of skill in what he does, and the way it's presented is quite fascinating.' Bruno continued: 'What is incredible, and what I like about the show is he's exciting. We didn't know what was going to happen, and it's open to all parts of what we call variety. 'There is historical precedence to it. It's not [just] shock value. It is something that is out there and it has been around within this canon of variety for hundreds of years.' View More » Britain's Got Talent continues on ITV on Saturday, at 7pm. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Alison Hammond defends Peter Andre's controversial movie Jafaican MORE: Lorraine fans can't get enough of Alexander Skarsgard's 'wacky' outfit MORE: 'Highly offensive' ITV show set for second series despite police backlash
South Wales Guardian
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
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.
Metro
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Britain's Got Talent judge says act 'not offensive' despite 700 Ofcom complaints
Britain's Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli has jumped to the defence of a contestant whose 'offensive' act received over 700 Ofcom complaints. Semi-finalist Auzzy Blood – whose real name is Austin Punton – and his horror-themed act got quite the reaction from viewers during his audition. The American contestant, who describes himself as a 'walking freak show,' inserted several metallic objects into his face, among other stunts, during his live tryout. After coming out onto the stage in a hooded cloak, Auzzy took two giant bendy straws and inserted them through his mouth and nose at the same time, twisting them as his performance continued. He also ran a plastic tube into his mouth and out through his nose before inviting judge and show creator Simon Cowell to drink through it in front of the audience. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. At that point, judge Alesha Dixon slammed her red buzzer and later said she 'couldn't watch' any more of his act, despite the audience's mix of shock and awe. Just when the crowd thought they might have seen the end of his act, he then shoved a hook through his nose, tied it to a rope, and suspended himself in the air. It was a performance that went down in BGT history, but hundreds watching at home were less than happy with Auzzy's horrifying, death-defying histrionics. Aware of the reaction after the episode aired, judge Bruno – who was up out of his chair during the act – has leapt to Auzzy's defence in a brand new interview. He said: '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. 'These acts are huge in Vegas. It does make you squeal, but I don't think it's offensive. There is a lot of skill in what he does, and the way it's presented is quite fascinating.' Bruno continued: 'What is incredible, and what I like about the show, is he's exciting. We didn't know what was going to happen, and it's open to all parts of what we call variety. 'There is historical precedence to it. It's not [just] shock value. It is something that is out there and it has been around within this canon of variety for hundreds of years.' Complaints were also made after the audition of Akira Ohashi, who took to the stage completely nude and – at one point – used a deflated beach ball to 'hide his crown jewels'. More Trending It's not the first time in recent years that hundreds of complaints have been sent to Ofcom from BGT viewers after a particularly shocking audition. In 2023, Ofcom received exactly 400 complaints after a stunt saw a man set himself on fire, with viewers insisting it should have been shown after the watershed. Commenting on X, one viewer said: 'BGT absolutely not on. Setting yourself on fire, do not try this at home. Shouldn't be allowed.' View More » Britain's Got Talent continues on ITV on Saturday, at 7pm. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The 5 best James Bond films ever made – including a record-breaking classic MORE: Britain's Got Talent finalist Andrew Johnston 'put hands around woman's throat' during alleged rape MORE: Malcolm in the Middle fans 'crying' after Frankie Muniz reunites with 00s co-stars
