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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Mia O'Hare

Britain's Got Talent viewers slam 'unacceptable and dangerous' stunt as man set on fire

Britain's Got Talent viewers have slammed a "ridiculously dangerous" stunt which was "totally unacceptable" for the ITV family show.

They called out the talent programme on Sunday night after a contestant appeared at the audition round to dangerously take on the Rubik's Cube.

The moment saw a professional stunt man set himself on fire as he tried to solve the iconic 80s puzzle.

Thomas Vu was covered in a fire-retardant gel and left the judges and audience shocked.

At the end of his act, the stunt man received a standing ovation.

But it didn't go down quite so well with viewers at home who asked what the show had "come to".

The dangerous stunt was slammed by viewers (ITV)

"BGT absolutely not on, setting yourself on fire, do not try this at home. Shouldn't be allowed," wrote one viewer.

Another said: "Like what has BGT come to when we set people on fire for entertainment."

"BGT totally ill considered showing a guy setting himself on fire whilst solving a Rubix Cube. No thought to the fact of impressionable children watch the show," someone else added.

A fourth viewer commented: "Sorry but showing a man setting himself on fire on a 'family' show is not acceptable. Even with the mention 'do not try this at home'."

A BGT Spokesperson said: "Britain’s Got Talent showcases a mix of variety acts to engage audiences. In this case, it was made very clear on screen that this act should not be tried at home and the programme was subject to strict compliance rules."

The talent show returned over the weekend with a brand-new judging panel for its sixteenth series.

The judges were shocked by the act (ITV)

Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli all took their place on the judging panel following David Walliams ' exit.

Yet many viewers have already hit out at the "cringe" opening to the show following Ant and Dec's segment.

The duo paid a visit to the Coronation Street cobbles, as Ant and Dec tried to locate the missing judges. They bumped into multiple soap stars before they found Simon's car parked outside the café, Roy's Rolls.

One wrote: "Me thinking the intro skit couldn’t get any worse than yesterday’s #bgt #BritainsGotTalent " as a second added: "I usually love #BGT but what is with the cheese overload this year?"

However, some viewers did love the crossover sketch and begged for more.

"Great start to #BGT loving the coronation street sketch! #Corrie

#BGT," one penned, whilst another joked: "Ant and Dec on the Cobbles!? When can I start watching this incredible spin-off?? I always thought Ant might have been related to Gail or Eileen #BGT."

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