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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Tasha Hall

Britain's Got Talent viewers fume as judges fail to recognise iconic Scottish 'Caledonia' anthem

Britain's Got Talent returned to our screens on Friday night for the last round of semi-finals to try and clutch onto a place in the final on Sunday this weekend to be in with a chance of performing in front of King Charles and bagging the prize money.

Among those performing on tonight's show were Scotland's only semi-finalist Cammy Barnes from Fife, 13-year-old dancer Lilliana Clifton, comedian Georgie Carroll, teen magician Cillian O'Connor and dance group Unity.

But Scottish ITV viewers were left fuming when judges Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden weren't familiar with Scot contestant Cammy's song choice Caledonia, which was written by Dougie MacLean as his love song to his homeland.

Cammy did admit he was "worried" about choosing the song, despite it being one of the most iconic anthems of Scotland and said it just "had to be that one."

"I wasn't familiar with the song, but I love what you did with it and I loved your confidence tonight you were so grounded and you have the most beautiful tone," expressed Alesha Dixon.

Cammy Barnes performing for the judges in the BGT audition (ITV)

Amanda Holden added: "I wasn't sure what the song was but it was absolutely beautiful, you are so down to earth and just an amazing bloke it was fantastic."

Bruno however did appear to be in the loop, as he said: "I love Caledonia, it's a true Scottish anthem and you sang it with such feeling and passion from the heart. You are the voice of Scotland."

Simon also praised the performance, saying: "What a great choice of song for you it was perfect, I thought you had so much more character from when we first saw you. Scotland will be proud of you tonight."

But viewers took to Twitter following his performance as they blasted the judge's comments.

"Never heard of Caledonia and one of them is a supposed singer? Jesus wept. Arseholes #BGT #BGT2023 #BritainsGotTalent," wrote one ITV viewer.

Someone else wrote: "HOW CAN ALESHA AND AMANDA NOT KNOW WHAT CALEDONIA IS?! #BGT #BritainsGotTalent."

A third added: "Can’t believe the #BGT judges hadn't heard of Caledonia! That’s surely a prison sentence #BritainsGotTalent."

Someone else quipped: "Alesha and Amanda haven't heard Caledonia. WHAAAAAAAAAAT #BGT2023 #BGT #BritainsGotTalent."

Britain's Got Talent's live semi-finals air all this week at 8PM on ITV1 and ITVX.

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