ITV BGT fans rip into ‘unscripted’ act after Simon Cowell claims ‘not a set up’: ‘Absolute bulls**t’
ITV Britain’s Got Talent viewers were left unimpressed with a twist in Saturday’s latest episode of the long-running talent show.
In the latest instalment, audience member Max Fox’s apparently impromptu audition left the judges stunned and the singer with a golden buzzer pass to the next round.
The moment began with Fox yelling judge Simon Cowell’s name from the packed auditorium crowd.
“For 19 years I’ve tried to get in front of you and I’ve never had that chance. Give me one opportunity and I’ll show you what I’ve got,” the singer yelled.
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Shooing security aside, Cowell beckoned Fox to the stage with the question: “This isn’t a set up? You’ve just chanced it?”
Fox, who revealed he was a local singer who dreamt of being on the show since he was 16, was then carted off by producers to be set up – leaving the other judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI stunned.
Once he eventually re-emerged, Cowell repeatedly asked the producers and Fox to “swear” it wasn’t a set up.
The infamously harsh judge declared: “No one is going to believe this wasn’t set up!”
In an ironic touch, Fox burst into a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Way to the deafening delight of the audience.
Overcome with the moment, Holden slammed down the golden buzzer button – her second of the night.
Amid the celebrations, Cowell went over to Fox to share his amazement and see his audience ticket.
However, some viewers were not sharing in the jubilation over Fox’s spontaneous success – and took to social media to share their thoughts.
What. A. Moment! 👏🌟
Max Fox’s totally unplanned audition scores him a GOLDEN BUZZER! https://t.co/7yeTdjD0ai#BGT #BritainsGotTalent pic.twitter.com/h1VtMZdH0O
— BGT (@BGT) April 19, 2025
“I don’t care what the show wants me to believe, that is 100% set up on #BGT,” one wrote on X.
Another fumed: “I mean the whole of Britains Got Talent is contrived. The producers absolutely have set this up. If he was trying to get in front of Simon, then why hasn’t he been able to? Absolute bulls**t.”
A third shared: “Just switched on #BGT for 5 minutes to see some fake scenario where an audience member has begged Simon to let him up on stage to sing and they’ve let him up cause he’s been auditioning for 20 years. They keep reiterating it’s not a set up. How thick do they think the GP are?”
“I’m shocked how many people have fallen for this BS,” a fourth despaired on YouTube.
A fifth agreed: “Can imagine the guys in the writers room coming up with this one thinking they’ve cooked?”
However, not all viewers were as cynical.
“Comes from the audience, dares to simply give it a try, gets permission, can actually sing really good, gets a standing ovation from the entire crowd and a golden buzzer. Dreams do come true,” one celebrated.
Another glowed: “It’s like a scene from a movie! Sometimes, just a bit of courage can make your dream come true. Wishing him all the best!”
“This is how it should be! Bravo Max! The audience have talent too! More of this!” a third enthused.