Ashley Banjo defends Diversity's dance routine amid complaints
5 years ago
9 September 2020 - 12:00 PM

Ashley Banjo defends Diversity's dance routine amid complaints

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Ashley Banjo has defended Diversity\'s Black Lives Matter dance on \'Britain\'s Got Talent\', amid thousands of complaints.

The 31-year-old dancer has taken to social media to launch a staunch defence of their routine on the ITV show, which saw the group narrate the death of George Floyd.

In response to the criticism, Ashley wrote on Instagram: "Art: The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

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"My truth, my platform, my art.

"I\'ve always tried to create not only to entertain but also to inspire... That will never change.

"\'Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter\' - Martin Luther King Jr

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"I\'m so grateful and overwhelmed by all of the love and support but also by the amount of conversation this performance has thrown up [praying emoji] 2020 has been such a historical year. One day we will look back and realise it was the start of real change...

"Sending out nothing but love and positivity to everyone reading this post [love heart emoji]

"#wearediversity (sic)"

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In a separate Instagram message, Ashley shared one of the posts he\'s received that warns him to stop talking about race.

He captioned the post: "For the people sending this:

"1. You do not represent or speak for the Great British public.

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"2. Silence was never and will never be an option.

"3. Change is inevitable... Get used to it

"#Diversity (sic)"

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The Black Lives Matter-inspired routine prompted almost 3,000 Ofcom complaints in just three days, with some viewers calling the dance routine a political statement.

An Ofcom spokesperson said: "We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate."

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