BGT’s Ashley Banjo defiantly withdraws from I’m Still Standing amid 15,000 complaints from BLM dance

Ashley Banjo looked defiant at the beginning of the latest episode of Britain’s Got Talent as she emerged onto the stage of the show to the tune of Sir Elton John’s classic song I’m Still Standing.

The latest episode aired a week after the previous episode sparked 15,000 complaints from Ofcom due to a Black Lives Matter-inspired dance routine of Ashley, 31, and her dance company, Diversity.

Some feel that his appearance on stage this weekend to the tune of I’m Still Standing serves as a message of defiance in the face of Ofcom’s reaction.

However, due to the fact that the semi-final episodes of BGT were filmed in advance and before the backlash began, it would be theoretically impossible for this to be the case.

Some viewers were angered by BLM’s performance of Diversity, claiming it was a politicized dance that was “inappropriate” for a family show.

However, many have defended Diversity’s bold performance, with BGT judge Alesha Dixon telling people to kiss her “black a **” in response to the furor.

Meanwhile, Ashley himself, who won the third season of BGT as part of Diversity in 2009, has expressed his joy at being able to bother to act and judge in BGT, as he was selected as an additional judge in the current season while the leader of the Simon Cowell program recovers. of being injured in a bicycle accident.

Ashley told hosts Ant and Dec on Saturday night’s episode: “I loved it, I loved being on this side of the desk, but you guys helped me too.

“So it’s my first week where I can sit back and enjoy the show.”

Ofcom has so far declined to reveal whether they will investigate BGT in light of the backlash.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: “We are evaluating complaints against our broadcast rules, but we have yet to decide whether to investigate or not.”

The BGT episode is now the second most complaining television moment after CelebrityBig Brother’s “punchgate” of 2018.

That incident was caused when former Coronation Street star Roxanne Pallett falsely accused Ryan Thomas of beating her, prompting 25,327 complaints.

Fans have also defined Ashley on the suggestion that her appearance on stage for I’m Still Standing might have been in response to Ofcom’s complaints.

One Twitter user wrote: “This episode was filmed a few weeks ago before his performance aired! I was in the audience! ”