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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Britain's Got Talent viewers make 'cancel' demand after Ant McPartlin issues apology and suffers fall amid crowning winner

Some Britain's Got Talent viewers have issued a demand for the show to be 'cancelled' after the winner of the latest series was crowned. The 2023 run of the ITV talent show came to an end on Sunday night (June 4) with Viggo Venn emerging victorious.

The Norwegian comedian, who was told he had "captured the heart of the nation" with his high-vis inspired routines, beat off stiff competition from 13-year-old dancer Lilliana Clifton and 14-year-old magician Cillian O’Connor finishing in second and third place respectively.

Viggo, who said at his first audition that he wanted to become a British comedian, scooped the £250,000 prize, as well as a spot on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance after his live grand final performance on the ITV talent show.

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He had the judges in fits of laughter when he forced Simon Cowell to wear a matching high-vis jacket as rose petals were thrown over the pair before the whole audience erupted into high-vis. The audience were also in raptures after the performance, chanting: “One more time”, in reference to his first audition on the show where he danced to Daft Punk’s hit.

After winning the show, host Declan Donnelly asked how he felt to have "captured the heart of the nation”, to which Viggo said: "Not just the heart of Britain, but the heart of Simon," after getting him up on stage during his final performance.

But the choice of winner, which was voted for by Britain's Got Talent viewers, didn't go down too well with everyone and some demanded it should be the last series of the popular Saturday night show.

@BVidzHalfCymru fumed: "Britain’s Got Talent is now forever BANNED from my TV. @SimonCowell do us all a favour and shelve it before you cause more embarrassment. #cancelBGT." @_Patrice_93 another simply said: "Can't believe it! #CancelBGT #BGT #BGT2023 #BGTFinal #BritainsGotTalent @BGT."

@Rupert_Forest complained: "#BGT2023 #bgt Well that’s the last ever series of BGT. How ridiculous was the winner compared to the quality of the other finalists."

Viggo was announced as the Britain's Got Talent winner (Dymond/Thames/REX/Shutterstock)

However, some think those complaining have missed the point of the winning act. @esc_kyan said: "Some people cant seem to have a bit of fun, represented in these comments. making people happy and laugh is a talent, and hes just a genius at doing that."

@polar.bear.sam shared: "This is the most pleasant surprise of a winner I've seen on Got Talent." @lennypastapus added: "He's hilarious and seems like such a lovely guy. I think he deserved to win (most of them did tbf and unfortunately not everyone can)."

And there was chaos on-screen when host Ant McPartlin was forced to pause the show after Viggo's act to issue apology. Viewers heard him say "Oh s***" and flocked to social media in their dozens as his final performance appeared to go wrong. Ant and Dec then proceeded to remind Viggo he was live on television.

After Viggo had finished his act, Ant and Dec were due to hand over to the judges to get their reaction. However, Ant was forced to briefly halt proceedings to apologise for any 'swearing' people may have heard. He said: "We've got to apologise for any bad language you heard during that."

Ant suffered another fall live on air (Dymond/Thames/REX/Shutterstock)

And Ant was later pushed to the ground as Viggo celebrated his win, his second fall live on Britain's Got Talent in the space of a week. After being crowned the winner, Viggo slipped back on his hi-vis jacket and shouted "one more time" before racing around the stage while the music played.

Speechless, Dec told viewers: "Well, there you go! Viggo Venn is this year's winner. We would like to say thank you to our fantastic judges." But as Ant shouted at Viggo to "come back" he was knocked off his feet when the winner appeared to slide tackle him on stage.

Having once again fallen onto his hands and knees, Ant's co-host Dec was forced to continue without him but judge Amanda Holden certainly appeared not to miss the accident and pointed out as she laughed.

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