Britain’s Got Talent viewers have expressed frustration over the ITV show’s golden buzzer rule
Britain’s Got Talent fans are demanding that ITV scrap the programme’s golden buzzer format.
The show has reached the semi-final stage, with judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI watching as contestants who progressed from the audition rounds battle for a place in the final. During each semi-final, one judge receives golden buzzer privileges, allowing them to fast-track an act directly to the final. A second act then advances through the public vote.
Both Amanda and Alesha have already used their buzzers, and during Saturday’s live episode (May 9), KSI was given the opportunity. He held back until nearly all performers had taken to the stage before selecting fire-eater Liwei Yang, reports the Daily Star.
Viewers have argued the format is flawed, insisting judges should watch every performance before exercising their golden buzzer decision. Additional criticism focused on the studio audience’s tendency to call for the buzzer after virtually every act.
“Can #BGT just axe the golden buzzer, it has become the most irritating addition to this show,” one frustrated viewer posted on X.
Another concurred: “Golden buzzer seriously needs to be [left] until everyone is on stage for the final results. As in, after everyone has performed.”
A third person wrote on the platform, formerly known as Twitter: “That studio golden buzzer needs to go, take it back to how it used to be, highest vote through then the judges pick between the other 2.”
“I’m all for shaking up the format, but this ‘Live Golden Buzzer’ during the semi-finals feels so unfair to the acts performing later,” one viewer remarked.
“The public vote is basically being ignored before half the show is over!”
“Are the audience gonna shout press the buzzer for every single act?” another viewer asked.
“What I hate about the #BGT live golden buzzer is that the judges sometimes make it so damn obvious on who they are giving it to,” a further viewer observed.
Another disgruntled audience member stated: “The audience actually ruins the live shows now, taking the golden buzzer away would stop it. If they need to have it, it can be pressed at the end when they all come out stage and their names are read out.”
Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturdays at 7pm on ITV and ITVX.
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