‘What has BGT come to?’
Britain’s Got Talent viewers have hit out at the show for a “ridiculously dangerous” stunt which some considered “totally unacceptable” television.
On Sunday night’s episode of the popular ITV show, a contestant appeared at the audition round to show off his ability to solve a Rubik’s Cube – with a twist.
As part of his act, Thomas Vu, who is a professional stuntman, set himself on fire as he tried to solve the famously difficult retro puzzle.
He covered himself in a fire-retardant gel before setting himself ablaze, to the shock of the judges, the audience and Ant and Dec.
Thomas successfully solved the cube though, bringing the heart-stopping act to a close and prompting a standing ovation from both the audiences and judges.
You can watch the staggering stunt below.
But some viewers at home felt the stunt was a step too far for primetime family viewing on a Sunday night.
One unimpressed viewer wrote: “BGT absolutely not on, setting yourself on fire, do not try this at home. Shouldn’t be allowed.”
Another said: “Like what has BGT come to when we set people on fire for entertainment.”
“BGT totally ill considered showing a guy setting himself on fire whilst solving a Rubix Cube. No thought to the fact of impressionable children watch the show,” someone else added.
A fourth viewer commented: “Sorry but showing a man setting himself on fire on a ‘family’ show is not acceptable. Even with the mention ‘do not try this at home’.”
But the judges didn’t feel the same way, with Thomas soaring through to the next round with four yesses.
The talent show returned to our screens over the weekend for its sixteenth series.
This is the first series following David Walliams’ controversial departure from the show, with former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli joining the panel as his replacement.
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