BRITAIN’S Got Talent has been slammed over a bin man act as the strikes in Birmingham have filled the city with rubbish.
22,000 tonnes of waste have piled up in the streets as refuse workers are threatening to continue striking for months.
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Workers are angry at Birmingham City Council’s decision to axe the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer role, which the union claims will leave many worse off.
However, ITV got on the wrong side of viewers as it decided to air a singing bin man on Britain’s Got Talent.
A 33-year-old contestant named Ramon – who currently lives in Great Yarmouth – took to the stage with his original reggae-inspired song.
The contestant surprised the judges as he wheeled out a large green recycling bin, whilst wearing his obligatory Hi Vis uniform.
He had the likes of Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli on their feet as he performed an infectious original bop that was an ode to his profession.
The singer even received a thumbs up from Simon Cowell who remarked: “That was brilliant.
“That was just one of those auditions where I loved every second of it, I loved the track.”
However, he then asked: “But you’ve written other songs right? Not just about bins though?”
This was while Amanda Holden gushed: “You’ve got real charisma and great charm.”
During the number, Ant and Dec even joined in as they made their way onto the stage swinging bags of rubbish.
However, fans of the long-running talent variety show were left fuming at the commercial broadcaster.
Viewers took to social media in droves as they slammed the airing of this act as being in ‘bad taste’ amid the Birmingham strikes.
Writing on X – formerly known as Twitter – one viewer asked: “#BGT is this a parody?”
A second fumed: “Oh sod off with this nonsense.” Its not entertaining or funny. Just making a mockery of the lad.”
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.
While a third commented: “Am I the only one who thinks that last bin man act on BGT airing at this time with all the strikes is in bad taste?”
“This bin Man deffo not from Birmingham lol,” sarcastically stated another fan.
As a fifth humorously added: “This is great to air during the Birmingham strikes,” along with a crying emoji.
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Britain’s Got Talent continues on ITV and is available to stream on ITVX.