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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

ITV Britain's Got Talent hit with complaints over peformance - but not from a contestant

Britain's Got Talent is known for its weird and wonderful talent as well as its controversial moments, and it appears the first live show hasn't escaped criticism from viewers. The ITV talent show returned to screens on Monday night (May 30) for the first of five semi-final shows.

Before it was time for the several semi-final acts to perform, the show kicked off with hosts Ant Mc Partlin and Declan Donnelly joining the cast of Moulin Rouge! for a extravagant opening sequence. The audience were treated to a medley from the musical cast which ended with the Geordie duo being lowered onto the stage harnessed onto a giant heart.

But before the show got well and truly got underway there was a blunder. Things didn't go to plan as Ant struggled to unbuckle himself from the chair as the pair were meant to head to the front of the stage with the cast. He could be heard saying: "Ooh, I'm stuck. I'm stuck on the chair."

READ MORE: ITV Britain's Got Talent fans annoyed and plead with show after 'big' change announced by Ant and Dec

A dancer was seen helping to free him from the buckle. And he looked amused as he eventually joined his pal. The rest of the show then saw 77-year-old singer Mel Day, the London Community Gospel Choir, magic act The Witch, impressionist Suzi Wild, and dance group Born To Perform, among those taking to the stage in front of a live audience and the judges - Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, and David Walliams.

But it was Busker Maxwell Thorpe and 13-year-old ventriloquist Jamie Leahey who have made it to the Britain’s Got Talent final, which takes place on Sunday (June 5). Maxwell, who put on a stellar operatic performance, was put straight through after receiving the most audience votes.

Jamie and Chuck made it through to the final (Dymond/Thames/REX/Shutterstock)

Meanwhile youngster Jamie, and his chicken Chuck, initially went head-to-head with 23-year-old magician Junwoo with the judges left to make their choice. However, the judges’ vote was split evenly between the pair and it reverted back to the audience vote and it was revealed Jamie had scored more.

However, before the first set of results were revealed, there was another performance from the cast of Moulin Rouge! which is currently appearing in the West End's Piccadilly Theatre. And it appears the performance didn't go down well with everybody as turned up the heat with a scene from the musical.

@rskoka tweeted: "If I’d booked tickets for moulin rouge musical I’d be asking for a refund pronto," to which @FearsomeDj replied: "Was thinking the exact same thing, not great moulin rouge #bgt #pooract tbh not the best act to pick for a family show either."

The cast of Moulin Rouge on Britain's Got Talent (ITV)

There was then another response from @ftm42 who said: "Me too. Glad I'm not the only one. Why have a the grinding sex moves and dancers in underwear gyrating in front of kids. The show itself is stated 'not suitable for under 12s' so why on #BritainsGotTalentI also agree the singing wasn't up to much."

But the stage performance also left viewers puzzled. @RecruitmentCopy said: "Why is the cast of Moulin Rouge doing a medley of Lady Gaga, Soft Cell, Britney Spears, Eurythmics and White Stripes on #BGT? Confused." @ElloTeenah commented: "Isn’t Moulin Rouge a whole musical? Why is this just a bunch of pop songs? I’m so confused. #BGT."

@JayHBaker94 wrote: "Didn't know Lady Gaga's bad romance was in Moulin Rouge #BGT." @mikepriestley13 shared: "My ears hurt.. this moulin rouge? Since when was lady gaga and Britney Spears music in that? #BGT."

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