Viewers of Britain’s Got Talent were disgusted when the talent show returned to screens on Saturday night.
Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli, returned to ITV1 for the show’s 2023 series to watch a host of audition hopefuls dreaming of winning a £250,000 prize and the chance to perform in the Royal Variety Performance.
But one of the early auditions left a lot to be desired in the minds of many viewers.
Mikko Rautiainen took the stage in a bright pink suit and told the judges that he had high hopes for his own show in Las Vegas.
However, things took a unique turn when he picked up a recorder and stuck it up his nose to play some tunes, leading many viewers to take to Twitter to express their disgust.
Divisive: Viewers of Britain’s Got Talent disgusted when a player hopeful played the recorder through his nose as the talent show returned to screens on Saturday night
Entertainment: Judges Simon Cowell (pictured), Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli, returned to ITV1 for the 2023 series to watch a host of hopefuls audition
One person stated, “Urgh, he puts the recorder in his nose, that’s disgusting.”
While another wrote: ‘Putting the recorder up your nose is disgusting!!!’
Another stunned viewer tweeted, “Shove the recorder up his nose for crying out loud.”
‘Okay yes, I’ve seen it all now, playing the recorder with his nose. Oh no, I can’t take it,’ someone else commented.
Another person posted: ‘How is playing the recorder through your nose a talent?! #BGT.’
Someone else posted: “Don’t really think sticking a recorder up your nose is talent #BGT #BGT2023.”
While someone else shared, “A Finnish man in a gorgeous pink jacket playing a recorder shoved up his nose while saying he can play trumpet with his other hole is peaking on Saturday night TV #BGT.”
It comes after Chief Judge Simon revealed he was ‘not involved’ in David Walliams’ decision to leave the Britain’s Got Talent jury.
Not impressed: Things took a unique turn when he picked up a recorder and stuck it up his nose to play some tunes, leading many viewers to take to Twitter to express their disgust
High expectations: Mikko Rautiainen took the stage in a bright pink suit and told the judges that he had high hopes for his own show in Las Vegas
In for the win: Mikko hoped to win the £250,000 prize and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance
The TV mogul broke his silence on the comedian’s departure, admitting that he would “never approve” of his sexual comments towards other contestants, for which he apologized before leaving the show.
Simon added that despite being an executive producer and judge on the show, talks about David’s departure involved other producers who were more “hands-on.”
Speak against The sun, he said: ‘I was not really involved in the decision. From what I understand, he decided to step back.
“We said to the two producers, ‘You have to make the final decision,’ ‘because yes, I’m an executive producer, but they’re more hands-on.”
Simon added that for much of his time at BGT, David was “very respectful and emotional” of other contestants.
But he continued, “We had a conversation. But you know, he acknowledged what he said, he wasn’t proud of what he said. This is not something I would ever approve of.’
Britain’s Got Talent returned on Saturday for its brand new series with the first round of auditions.
Breaking his silence: Simon Cowell has revealed he was ‘not involved’ in David Walliams’ decision to leave the Britain’s Got Talent jury
Gone: The TV mogul broke his silence upon leaving the comedian and admitted that he would ‘never approve’ of his sexual comments towards other contestants, for which he apologized (pictured in 2020)
Bruno Tonioli has joined the jury in place of David and will appear on the jury alongside Simon, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
David decided to leave Britain’s Got Talent after being forced to apologize for describing an older contestant as a ‘c***’ and making vile sexual comments about a woman who was competing.
The comments, made in January 2020 during auditions at the London Palladium, were picked up by the programme’s microphones and revealed in December 2022.
During the audition, an elderly performer engaged in banter with the judges in which he made a joke about Walliams. After the audition, the pensioner left, after which Walliams allegedly called him a ‘c***’ three times.
Another case occurred after a female contestant auditioning for the same show walked off stage.
David commented, “She’s like the slightly boring girl you meet in the pub and thinks you want to fuck them, but you don’t… It’s the last thing on your mind, but she says, ‘Yeah, I bet you do!’ ‘
A source told The sun“He didn’t take the decision lightly, but it just feels like time to move on.”
David has decided to retire after ten years. He wants to leave with a good feeling after a wonderful time.
“His team has been quietly having conversations over the past few days making it clear that David is about to step down – and then producers will start thinking about who could replace him.”
‘No, I won’t! I had a little ab***r, but it’s okay now, it’s shriveled up in my body now.’
Sources close to BGT had said David’s return was ‘very threatened’ and that he was ‘under the microscope’, with some senior staff saying he should be suspended immediately.
New face: he has been replaced on the jury by Bruno Tonioli, with the new series starting on Saturday
In a statement to The Guardian, the Little Britain star said: “I want to apologize to the people I made disrespectful comments about during filming breaks for Britain’s Got Talent in 2020.
“These were private conversations and — like most conversations with friends — were never meant to be shared. Still, I’m sorry.’
An ITV spokesperson said: ‘We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations and we have spoken to the producers of Britain’s Got Talent.
“Duty of care to all participants in all of our programs is always paramount and we have established protocols and guidelines for all our manufacturing partners.”