BGT flooded with Ofcom complaints after 'insensitive' routine depicting 'tragedy'
Britain's Got Talent viewers were angered after drag artist Chantaaaal was put through to the next round following a Titanic-themed performance on May 25.
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Britain's Got Talent viewers were fuming after drag artist Chantaaaal donned one of Titanic's smokestacks and a corset shaped like the infamous ship's hull. The outfit was completed with a blue frill resembling the sea and the iconic 'Heart of the Ocean' diamond necklace.
A total of 78 Ofcom complaints were made after the performer was seen dressing up as the RMS Titanic and singing 'My Heart Will Go On' by Celine Dion. Ofcom said viewers found it an "insensitive" act as it "poked fun at the Titanic film" which was a "tragedy".
"I'm about to become your favourite French femme fatale," the performer announced before playing the opening of the Titanic film's theme song on the flute. By the end of the song, the drag artist's dress raised up to depict an iceberg.
Chantaaaal then started physically shaking as the stage lights dimmed and were directed at his face as the Titanic sank. Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon all sent the act through to the next round.
Jodie Emily wrote: "I actually don’t know how that Titanic act made it to television…like people edited and approved of this?!!! It’s disgusting, people DIED!! It’s a tragedy it is NOT funny. Really really distasteful…"
Hun added: "Very bad taste in a show going down the gutter. The Titanic sinking was an awful catastrophe and the act was awful aswell #bgt"
HSJ penned: "Omg making fun of the Titanic disaster, absolutely not a fan of that! Ffs #bgt"
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Critical TV added: "Let's all laugh at the titanic sinking and all those thousand of men women and children that died, hilarious #bgt"