Ashley Banjo responds to 'hateful' comments over Britain's Got Talent BLM routine
The stand-in judge choreographed a thought-provoking dance routine with his group Diversity, during which a 'police officer' knelt on his neck
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Britain's Got Talent star Ashley Banjo has revealed he has been inundated with 'thousands of hateful and ignorant' messages over his band Diversity's performance on the talent show over the weekend.
The Black Lives Matter inspired routine showed Ashley being arrested by a white police officer who put his knee to his neck, referencing the death of George Floyd in America.
Speaking after the provocative performance divided viewers, Ashley said the negative responses have made the routine seem all the more necessary.
Taking to Twitter, Ashley told viewers: "So much to say... But I’ll Just let the performance talk. Thousands of messages of Love and support - Thank you.
"For the thousands of messages of hate and ignorance - Thank you. You highlight exactly what needs to change. Sending nothing but love to you all."
Diversity's performance, which recounted major events of 2020, divided opinion over its inclusion of the reference to George Floyd's death in May which sparked protests around the world.
As a police officer was seen kneeling on Ashley's neck, the Diversity members all dropped to one knee and said: "I can't breathe."
The powerful routine ended with a standing ovation from the judges but viewers at home gave a mixed reaction on social media.
Many said the prime-time entertainment show should not be 'politicised' while others praised the Saturday night show for including a thought-provoking and emotive retelling of some of this year's biggest news events.
It has since been revealed that the routine has sparked 1,121 Ofcom complaints
A spokesperson for the regulator told The Sun: "We have received a total of 1,121 complaints in relation to last Saturday’s Britain’s Got Talent, most of which related to the Diversity dance segment.
"We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate."
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