Simon Cowell, 65, sparks furious ITV BGT fan row as he sends 11-year-old guitarist to grand finale: ‘Absolute waste!’
Simon Cowell has caused fury among ITV Britain’s Got Talent viewers after he sent 11-year-old guitarist Olly Pearson after the judge slammed down the golden buzzer during the live semi-final.
The young rocker made Britain’s Got Talent history by becoming the first contestant to receive two golden buzzers in a single season, having previously earned Amanda Holden’s golden buzzer during his audition in March.
Cowell pressed the buzzer immediately after Pearson’s performance on Saturday’s show, sending him straight through to the final of the ITV talent competition.
The youth wowed the judges and audience with a medley of rock classics, including AC/DC’s Thunderstruck, Guns And Roses’ Sweet Child O’ Mine and Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer.
His performance featured spectacular staging, with the young guitarist being lifted to the sky on a platform whilst his guitar shot out flames. The 11-year-old showcased his incredible guitar skills with backing dancers adding to the rock spectacle.
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His performance was so impressive that Simon couldn’t wait to press the golden buzzer, doing so immediately after Pearson finished playing.
Speaking after sending the 11-year-old through, Cowell said: “He was bloody brilliant, seriously, and he’s so small and talented, and carries magic.”
“I probably went a little bit early, but I was so excited, and it was just so brilliant. You’re so talented, really,” he added.
The head judge pressed the buzzer before the judges’ comments, which is not the usual protocol.
“I went a little early, I’m sorry but I was so excited. You’re just so brilliant and talented. Really, really, really talented,” Simon reiterated.
Becoming visibly emotional after receiving the golden buzzer, a stunned Pearson described it as “the greatest golden buzzer of my life”.
The young guitarist also called being sent to the final “the coolest thing in my life”.
Amanda Holden was equally excited about Pearson’s success, joking that Cowell wasn’t “taking” the young performer away from her as she had pressed her golden buzzer for him first.
However, not all were joining in on the joyous scenes as viewers took to social media to complain the act didn’t measure up to the golden buzzer expectations.
“No way that deserved a golden buzzer,” one savaged simply while another wrote: “Absolutely not a golden buzzer @SimonCowell Oli was good but not golden buzzer material absolute waste #bgt.”
A third despaired: “Really Simon…. Really…. That’s who you give the golden buzzer to???? The previous act was a thousand times better…. #BGT #BritainsGotTalent.”
“Any good economist would say the golden buzzer is losing value how often it’s being used this series… people flying through on DOUBLES now?! #BGT #BritainsGotTalent,” a fourth fumed.
Others were far more positive, and spoke out in defence of Pearson and Cowell’s decision to put him through.
“Don’t be harsh to the kid. He is a little one and he has a unique talent Mozart was at his age when he played the piano Go prodigy #britainsgottalent #BGT,” one praised.
Another celebrated: “Well done Olly totally rocked your performance and congratulations on the golden buzzer you so deserved it, you rocked the place out.”