BRITAIN’S Got Talent fans have accused Amanda Holden of ‘shading’ former winner Paul Potts in a new comment.
The ITV favourite returned to our screens this weekend, with new hopefuls standing in front of Amanda, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and head judge Simon Cowell for their shot at stardom.
Innocent Masuku, a South African opera singer, was one of the last on Sunday night’s show, and blew them away with his powerful voice, earning a standing ovation.
But the resulting debrief caused a stir among fans – especially after Amanda’s comment about him.
The spellbound judge told him: “Simon said that every year we’ve got to keep raising the bar when we’re looking for talent.
“We can’t look back, we have to have people that go beyond our expectations, and that’s exactly what you did today.
“Hands down, in the 17 years we’ve been doing Britain’s Got Talent, you are by far the best opera singer we have ever had.”
Some took this to be a swipe at Paul Potts, who won the show back in 2007 and became one of the show’s biggest success stories.
Writing about the moment on Twitter, one said: “A smack in the face for Paul Potts from Amanda right there.”
While another added: “Bit of a kick in the teeth for Paul Potts that one Amanda.”
“Amazing young man. Amanda Holden a bit out of order with her comment, has she forgotten Paul Potts,” noted a third.
While a fourth completely disagreed and said: “He was good but not quite enough, and Amanda is wrong, Paul Potts was a miles better singer!”
Despite the rave reviews, not one of the judges decided to give Innocent the Golden Buzzer – though they all unanimously voted to put him through to the next round.
The talented singer does have a background in the theatre – kicking off his career at the Cape Town Opera Company.
Now living in London, if he wins Britain’s Got Talent he will get to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of King Charles.
