Britain’s Got Talent has received almost 2,000 complaints after Alesha Dixon wore a Black Lives Matter necklace.
Media watchdog Ofcom confirmed that there have been 1,901 complaints about the judge’s choice of jewellery on Saturday night’s semi-final.
A spokesperson told The Sun: “We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
Following Saturday night’s show, viewers took to Twitter to comment on the statement necklace – with many praising the judge for the move.
One user wrote: “Alesha Dixon wearing a BLM necklace is such a power move and I am HERE for it”, while another added: “very much here for alesha’s necklace #BLM.”
However, others were critical of Alesha’s jewellery choice – with one writing: “Why do celebrities like @AleshaOfficial feel the need to ram their political views down our throats at every opportunity?”
Another tweeted: “#bgt alesha’s necklace disgusting. Why are you allowing political statements. #AleshaDixon if #SimonCowell was there I don’t think you’d be wearing it.”
Alesha Dixon wearing a BLM necklace is such a power move and I am HERE for it 😂🙌🏻 #BGT #BritainsGotTalent
— faith ♥ (@faithbxx) September 19, 2020
I didn’t think I could love Alesha Dixon anymore after people mistaking her garden for a park but that BLM necklace is a mood & a vibe.
— Audrey (@audreythefinest) September 20, 2020
If you're more upset about Alesha Dixon wearing a BLM necklace than you are about the continuing unequal treatment and killing of black people, then you are part of the problem and you need to educate yourself.
— Sharon (@slinkysharon) September 20, 2020
Why do celebrities like @AleshaOfficial feel the need to ram their political views down our throats at every opportunity #AleshaDixon #BGT #AllLivesMattter
— gary thorley 🇬🇧 (@garyt1964) September 19, 2020
#BGT I really think it’s time to remove #AleshaDixon from the judging panel for the foreseeable future.Wearing of the BLM chain is totally unnecessary and was to provoke a public reaction again.
This should not be allowed on prime time TV and viewers want a break from politics— The John Bramall of Saddleworth OBE #FBPE #FBPPR (@guyfoxy) September 19, 2020
The news comes Ofcom received over 24k complaints about dance troupe Diversity’s BLM inspired performance earlier this month.
Despite the backlash they received over the dance, ITV showed their support for the Diversity by rolling out a full-page advert across national newspapers in the UK.
The black-and-white poster shows Ashley taking a knee, alongside the words: “We are changed by what we see. Just as we are changed when we are seen. ITV stand with Diversity.”
Ofcom announced that they would not be investigating the performance despite the complaints, with a spokesperson saying in a statement: “We carefully considered a large number of complaints about this artistic routine, an area where freedom of expression is particularly important.”
“Diversity’s performance referred to challenging and potentially controversial subjects, and in our view, its central message was a call for social cohesion and unity.
“Any depictions of violence by the performers were highly stylised and symbolic of recent global events, and there was no explicit reference to any particular political organisation – but rather a message that the lives of black people matter.”
The dance troupe’s routine tackled issues such as police brutality, racism, and the coronavirus pandemic.
Part of the routine showed a dancer portraying a white police officer kneeling on the neck of lead dancer and choreographer Ashley Banjo, echoing the killing of George Floyd in the US earlier this year.
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