Jordan Banjo says Diversity's Britain's Got Talent performance wasn't focused on politics
5 years ago
28 September 2020 - 2:00 PM

Jordan Banjo says Diversity's Britain's Got Talent performance wasn't focused on politics

Share on
Share on Facebook
Facebook
X
Share on E-mail
E-mail

Jordan Banjo says Diversity weren\'t focused on politics or being "antagonistic" with their \'Britain\'s Got Talent\' performance.

The dance troupe - who won the ITV competition in 2009 - delivered a powerful performance inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement earlier this month, and the star has addressed the routine\'s critics after it sparked thousands of complaints to Ofcom.

He told Hello! magazine: "The other day I was in the petrol station and someone shouted out: \'Mate, don\'t worry about the muppets who are complaining.\'

Louis Tomlinson Reflects on One Direction’s "What Makes You Beautiful"

"It was just some random guy in a van telling me how much he loved the performance, but all those things mean as much, if not more.

"All you can really do is go on and speak your own truth. It was a dance piece. No one went on television to be antagonistic or spark a media frenzy. There were no politics."

Perri Kiely agreed that he and the rest of the group did nothing wrong with their powerful routine.

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg Welcome Baby Boy Bowden

He added: "It wasn\'t as if we were doing something wrong. We just wanted to get people talking about it."

Despite Ofcom receiving around 24,000 complaints regarding the performance, the regulator confirmed they won\'t be taking any action.

In a firm statement, Ofcom said: "We carefully considered a large number of complaints about this artistic routine, an area where freedom of expression is particularly important.

Dua Lipa Joins George Clooney for New Nespresso Campaign

"Diversity\'s performance referred to challenging and potentially controversial subjects, and in our view, its central message was a call for social cohesion and unity.

"Any depictions of violence by the performers were highly stylised and symbolic of recent global events, and there was no explicit reference to any particular political organisation - but rather a message that the lives of black people matter.

"We will not be taking this case on to formal investigation."

Carol Vorderman Discusses Her "Special Friends" and Approach to Relationships

Ofcom\'s statement comes after ITV backed Diversity over the backlash, and insisted the performance was an "authentic, heartfelt response to many of the issues and events which have affected society in 2020".

In a statement published on their website, an ITV spokesman said: "\'Britain\'s Got Talent\' has always been an inclusive show, which showcases diversity and supports strong storytelling in all forms and ITV stands behind the decision to broadcast Diversity\'s performance on \'BGT\'.

"Ashley and the group are a great example of the talent, creativity and diversity of modern Britain and their performance was an authentic, heartfelt response to many of the issues and events which have affected society in 2020."

Share on
Share on Facebook
Facebook
X
Share on E-mail
E-mail

You might like these
Louis Tomlinson Reflects on One Direction’s "What Makes You Beautiful"

Louis Tomlinson Reflects on One Direction’s "What Makes You Beautiful"

19 March 2026 - 4:25 AM

Louis Tomlinson Reflects on One Direction’s "What Makes You Beautiful"
Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg Welcome Baby Boy Bowden

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg Welcome Baby Boy Bowden

19 March 2026 - 3:46 AM

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg Welcome Baby Boy Bowden
Dua Lipa Joins George Clooney for New Nespresso Campaign

Dua Lipa Joins George Clooney for New Nespresso Campaign

19 March 2026 - 3:01 AM

Dua Lipa Joins George Clooney for New Nespresso Campaign
Carol Vorderman Discusses Her "Special Friends" and Approach to Relationships

Carol Vorderman Discusses Her "Special Friends" and Approach to Relationships

18 March 2026 - 7:34 AM

Carol Vorderman Discusses Her "Special Friends" and Approach to Relationships
Alice Evans Faces Personal Loss Following Court Ruling

Alice Evans Faces Personal Loss Following Court Ruling

18 March 2026 - 6:03 AM

Alice Evans Faces Personal Loss Following Court Ruling

Louis Tomlinson Reflects on One Direction’s "What Makes You Beautiful"
19 March 2026

Louis Tomlinson Reflects on One Direction’s "What Makes You Beautiful"

Louis Tomlinson Reflects on One Direction’s "What Makes You Beautiful"
Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg Welcome Baby Boy Bowden
19 March 2026

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg Welcome Baby Boy Bowden

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg Welcome Baby Boy Bowden
Dua Lipa Joins George Clooney for New Nespresso Campaign
19 March 2026

Dua Lipa Joins George Clooney for New Nespresso Campaign

Dua Lipa Joins George Clooney for New Nespresso Campaign
Carol Vorderman Discusses Her "Special Friends" and Approach to Relationships
18 March 2026

Carol Vorderman Discusses Her "Special Friends" and Approach to Relationships

Carol Vorderman Discusses Her "Special Friends" and Approach to Relationships
Alice Evans Faces Personal Loss Following Court Ruling
18 March 2026

Alice Evans Faces Personal Loss Following Court Ruling

Alice Evans Faces Personal Loss Following Court Ruling
Geordie Shore Series Finale Removed from Streaming After Editing Blunder
18 March 2026

Geordie Shore Series Finale Removed from Streaming After Editing Blunder

Geordie Shore Series Finale Removed from Streaming After Editing Blunder
Harry Hill Recalls Overhearing Blunt Feedback from Keeley Hawes
17 March 2026

Harry Hill Recalls Overhearing Blunt Feedback from Keeley Hawes

Harry Hill Recalls Overhearing Blunt Feedback from Keeley Hawes
Paddy McGuinness Unveils Physical Transformation for Men's Health Cover
17 March 2026

Paddy McGuinness Unveils Physical Transformation for Men's Health Cover

Paddy McGuinness Unveils Physical Transformation for Men's Health Cover
Barry Keoghan Dismisses James Bond Casting Rumors
17 March 2026

Barry Keoghan Dismisses James Bond Casting Rumors

Barry Keoghan Dismisses James Bond Casting Rumors
Russ Cook Announces He Will Become a Father
15 March 2026

Russ Cook Announces He Will Become a Father

Russ Cook Announces He Will Become a Father
Louise Thompson Shares Update on Campaign for Maternity Commissioner
15 March 2026

Louise Thompson Shares Update on Campaign for Maternity Commissioner

Louise Thompson Shares Update on Campaign for Maternity Commissioner
Rita Simons Shares Health Update Before Upcoming Surgeries
15 March 2026

Rita Simons Shares Health Update Before Upcoming Surgeries

Rita Simons Shares Health Update Before Upcoming Surgeries
Statistic Statistic