Britain's Got Talent series 6 explained

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Host:Ant & Dec (ITV)
Stephen Mulhern (ITV2)
Judges:David Walliams
Alesha Dixon
Amanda Holden
Simon Cowell
Carmen Electra (London auditions)
Winner:Ashleigh and Pudsey
Runner Up:Jonathan and Charlotte
Network:ITV
ITV2 (BGMT)

The sixth series of British talent competition programme Britain's Got Talent was broadcast on ITV, from 24 March to 12 May 2012. The sixth series saw Simon Cowell resume a full commitment to the programme following the previous series,[1] yet neither David Hasselhoff and Michael McIntyre returned to take part in the new series,[2] [3] leading to them being replaced by Alesha Dixon and David Walliams.[4] Because of her pregnancy during filming of the auditions, Amanda Holden was required to miss a number of sessions, leading to producers asking Carmen Electra to step in as a guest judge in her place.[5]

The sixth series of the programme saw a full commitment of incorporating a panel of four judges throughout every stage of the competition. The prize money offered by Britain's Got Talent was increased to £500,000 for this series only,[6] the highest amount offered in the programme's history. In addition, the format of the programme saw a number of changes, including nine semi-finalists in each semi-final, the establishment of a Wildcard format similar to that used in America's Got Talent - in which the judges could appoint a single place in the final to any eliminated semi-finalist they favoured the most - and the incorporation of a mobile voting app, which functioned differently to the system used on The X Factor.[7]

The sixth series was won by dancing dog act Ashleigh and Pudsey, with opera duo Jonathan and Charlotte finishing in second place and choir Only Boys Aloud third. Many of the semi-finalists that took part in the competition were considered some of the best in the programme's history by 2012.[8] During its broadcast, the series averaged around 10.6 million viewers. The programme faced controversy concerning two auditions and a mishap with the new voting system, of which Ofcom had to investigate ITV's handling in regards to two of these incidents that viewers raised complaints against.

Series overview

Following open auditions held the previous year,[9] [10] the Judges' auditions were held during January and February 2012, within Manchester,[11] Blackpool, Cardiff, London, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Like the previous series, a number of acts were invited to audition between 6 and 22 January, after being found via their videos on YouTube.[12] Twenty-five participants from this were picked by the producers and revealed by Britain's Got More Talent host Stephen Mulhern via a live YouTube stream from backstage at the London auditions, in which the YouTube community voted on their favourites between 6 and 13 February, with the winning acts later performing before the judges after the results of the vote on 18 February. Between 25 and 31 January, the sponsors of the show for this series, Virgin Media, ran addition auditions for the show via videos made on YouTube and/or Vimeo, which, while adhering to the same rules, were restricted to only Virgin Media customer, with the five winning acts later performing for the judges during the Birmingham auditions.

Following the previous series, both David Hasselhoff and Michael McIntyre announced that they wouldn't be returning for another year of the competition. Their decision led to the producers seeking out their replacements, after deciding to maintain the use of four judges in the programme following Cowell's announcement in December 2011 that he would be returning to oversee auditions for the sixth series. Both Hasselhoff and McIntyre were eventually replaced by comedian David Walliams, and singer and TV presenter Alesha Dixon, the latter having previously been a judge on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.[4] Owing to her pregnancy entering its late stages, Holden was forced to be absent from the Blackpool auditions. As a result, the production team brought in Carmen Electra as a guest judge and oversee these in her place, until Holden was cleared by doctors to return to overseeing the remainder of the auditions.[13] Apart from a change in the judging panel, the producers decided to increase the prize money offered to the winner of the series to £500,000, with Cowell pledging half of the prize money being offered to the winner.

Of the participants that took part, only forty five made it past this stage and into the five live semi-finals,[14] with nine appearing in each one; this was a significant change after the last four series of the programme. In a change with the format, the live final featured ten acts that made it through the semi-finals, and one additional act dubbed "the Judges' wildcard" - if a semi-finalist was eliminated in their semi-final, they became eligible to be picked as a wildcard act for the final by the judges, with the choice made prior to the live final's broadcast. The wildcard for this series was boyband The Mend, after they lost out in the tied Judges' vote in the first semi-final. The following below lists the results of each participant's overall performance in this series:

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Judges' Wildcard Finalist
ParticipantAge(s) GenreActSemi-finalResult
Analiza Ching29MusicViolinist1
Aquabatique 21–28VarietySynchronised Swimmers5
Area 5123–44DancePyrotechnic Dance Group3
Ashleigh and Pudsey17 & 6 AnimalsDog Act1
Ashley Elliot16MusicXylophonist3
Be Minor13–14SingingGirl Band 4
Beatrix von Bourbon27DanceBurlesque Dancer 4
Billy George20AcrobaticsCyr Wheel Acrobat 5
Brynolf & Ljung35 & 36MagicMagic Duo 4
Callum Oakley16ComedyStand Up Comedian5
Cascade22–35Acrobatics Martial Arts Team2
Chica Latina44Singing Singer 4
Dennis Egel41Singing Singer 3
Face Team19–28AcrobaticsBasketball Stunt Team5
Fish on Percussion24MusicPercussionist2
Four Corners17–25DanceDance Group2
Gatis Kandis31Comedy Stand Up Comedian 4
Graham Blackledge42Singing / Music Singer & Organist 2
Greig Stewart27MusicLaser Harpist5
Honey Shazad21SingingSinger3
Hope Murphy16SingingSinger5
Jonathan and Charlotte17 & 16SingingOpera Duo2
Kai & Natalia15 & 16DanceBallroom Dance Duo2
Karizma Krew14–38DanceStreet Dance Group2
Lauren Thalia12Singing / Music Singer & Guitarist1
Loveable Rogues18–20Singing / MusicAcoustic Trio3
Lucky26Acrobatics Contortionist3
Malaki Paul9SingingSinger4
Martyn Crofts42Singing Raping Darlek Impersonator 5
Molly Rainford11SingingSinger3
Nu Sxool10–17DanceDance Group4
Only Boys Aloud14–19SingingChoir 1
Paige Turley14SingingSinger2
Rachel Knowland25SingingSinger1
Ryan O'Shaughnessy19Singing / MusicSinger & Guitarist5
Sam Kelly19Singing / MusicSinger & Guitarist4
Strictly Wheels39 & 41DanceDance Duo5
The Jive Aces34–49MusicJazz Band 1
The Mend 21–22SingingBoy Band1
The Showbears34–53SingingSinging Group2
The Sugar Dandies40 & 40DanceBallroom Dance Duo4
The Zimmers66–88Singing Rap Group 3
Twist and Pulse Dance Company12–20DanceStreet Dance Group3
United We Stand17–25DanceStreet Dance Group1
Zipparah Tafari49Singing Rapper1

Semi-finals summary

Buzzed out | Judges' vote |

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Semi-final 1 (6 May)

Semi-FinalistOrderBuzzes and Judges' VoteResult [15]
Zipparah Tafari14th - Eliminated
The Jive Aces27th - Eliminated
Lauren Thalia3 5th - Eliminated
United We Stand49th - Eliminated
Analiza Ching58th - Eliminated
The Mend 63rd (Judges' vote tied - Lost on Public Vote)
Rachel Knowland76th - Eliminated
Ashleigh & Pudsey81st (Won Public vote)
Only Boys Aloud92nd (Judges' vote tied - Won on Public vote)

Semi-final 2 (7 May)

Semi-FinalistOrderBuzzes and Judges' VoteResult
Cascade1 8th - Eliminated
Paige Turley23rd (Lost Judges' vote)
Karizma Krew35th - Eliminated
The Showbears47th - Eliminated
Fish on Percussion59th - Eliminated
Graham Blackledge66th - Eliminated
Kai and Natalia72nd (Won Judges' vote)
Four Corners84th - Eliminated
Jonathan and Charlotte91st (Won Public vote)

Semi-final 3 (8 May)

Semi-FinalistOrderBuzzes and Judges' VoteResult
The Zimmers16th - Eliminated
Area 5128th - Eliminated
Ashley Elliot35th - Eliminated
Molly Rainford42nd (Judges' vote tied - Won on Public vote)
Lucky 57th - Eliminated
Loveable Rogues61st (Won Public vote)
Honey Shazad79th - Eliminated
Twist and Pulse Dance Company83rd (Judges' vote tied - Lost on Public vote)
Dennis Egel94th - Eliminated

Semi-final 4 (9 May)

Semi-FinalistOrderBuzzes and Judges' VoteResult
Chica Latina1 9th - Eliminated
Brynolf and Ljung25th - Eliminated
Malaki Paul33rd (Lost Judges' vote)
Gatis Kandis46th - Eliminated
The Sugar Dandies57th - Eliminated
Nu Sxool62nd (Won Judges' vote)
Beatrix von Bourbon78th - Eliminated
Sam Kelly81st (Won Public vote)
Be Minor94th - Eliminated

Semi-final 5 (10 May)

Semi-FinalistOrderBuzzes and Judges' VoteResult
Face Team16th - Eliminated
Greig Stewart29th - Eliminated
Billy George33rd (Lost Judges' vote)
Martyn Crofts48th - Eliminated
Callum Oakley54th - Eliminated
Hope Murphy65th - Eliminated
Strictly Wheels77th - Eliminated
Aquabatique82nd (Won Judges' vote)
Ryan O'Shaughnessy91st (Won Public vote)

Final (12 May)

Guest Performers, Results Show: Susan Boyle, Diversity & Paul Gbegbaje,[17] and The Show Bears (featuring David Walliams)

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FinalistOrderFinished
The Mend17th
Sam Kelly29th
Nu Sxool38th
Molly Rainford46th
Loveable Rogues54th
Kai and Natalia611th
Aquabatique710th
Ryan O'Shaughnessy85th
Only Boys Aloud93rd
Ashleigh and Pudsey101st
Jonathan and Charlotte112nd

Ratings

See main article: List of Britain's Got Talent episodes.

EpisodeAir DateTotal viewers (millions) [18] ITV1
Weekly rank
Viewer Share (%)
Auditions 124 March 11.57 3 39.2 [19]
Auditions 231 March 12.17 1 41.3 [20]
Auditions 37 April 11.95 1 38.7 [21]
Auditions 414 April 12.18 1 39.5 [22]
Auditions 521 April 11.60 1 38.2 [23]
Auditions 628 April 11.97 1 41.8 [24]
Auditions 75 May 11.27 1 38.9 [25]
Semi-final 16 May 11.01 2 35.5 [26]
Semi-final 27 May 10.77 2 35.6 [27]
Semi-final 2 results9.44 9 32.4
Semi-final 38 May 9.12 12 33.5 [28]
Semi-final 3 results7.91 15 27.8
Semi-final 49 May 10.15 3 37.6 [29]
Semi-final 4 results7.95 14 27.3
Semi-final 510 May 9.90 7 36.6 [30]
Semi-final 5 results8.83 13 30.2
Live final12 May 13.12 1 46.4 [31]

Criticism, controversies & incidents

Beatrix Von Bourbon audition

On 23 April 2012, Ofcom launched an investigation into the programme after receiving complaints from viewers regarding the audition of burlesque performer Beatrix Von Bourbon. The complaints focused on the nature of her performance - which her stripping down until she wore only nipple tassels and a corset - and thus its suitability for a family audience and being aired before the 9pm watershed. The investigation lasted two months, and concluded on 23 July with the regulator ruling that ITV had not breached its broadcasting codes on protecting children from unsuitable material, stating that the broadcaster's measures to censor the footage of the audition had been within acceptable parameters.[32]

Ryan O'Shaughnessy audition

Researchers for Britain's Got Talent were forced to inform production staff that the participation of Ryan O'Shaughnessy, who auditioned for the sixth series, was heavily controversial due to his failure to disclose information in his application form for the show. Per the programme's terms and conditions, O'Shaughnessy had not disclosed that his involvement would be ineligible, due to him signing a contract with Universal Music and securing a place on the first series of The Voice of Ireland that same year. Although the singer was confronted with this information and stated in his defence that he wished to express his own music, Simon Cowell had to make clear that his involvement on the programme was a direct conflict of interest.[33] [34] O'Shaughnessy was only able to continue his participation after dropping out of The Voice of Ireland and his contract with Universal Music before his semi-final appearance.

Voting app mishap

Although voting prior to the sixth series had been mainly conducted via phone votes, production staff decided to incorporate a second method of voting for viewers, in the form of a mobile app. The concept was that viewers could use the app to purchase a set of three votes for a small fee and use for any act within the semi-finals - if a viewers used two mobile votes in one semi-final, the third could be used in another, with viewers able to buy more votes after using up their initial set. However, the implementation of this voting method for the first semi-final saw technical difficulties arise, which could not be fixed and led to the app being discontinued for the rest of the series. Ofcom was forced to investigate the incident after viewers complained about the difficulty of making votes with the app. Although the regulator reprimanded ITV for the failures in the operation of the app, it acknowledged that the concept was an original idea and that the broadcaster was not at fault for the technical issues that occurred per the actions taken to deal with the resulting problems.[35]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Simon Cowell to return to 'Britain's Got Talent', confirms ITV boss. Tobin. Christian. Digital Spy. 7 December 2011. 8 January 2012.
  2. Web site: Michael McIntyre quits 'Britain's Got Talent'. Tobin. Christian. Digital Spy. 20 November 2011. 6 May 2012.
  3. Web site: David Hasselhoff confirms 'Britain's Got Talent' exit. Sperling. Daniel. Digital Spy. 29 November 2011. 8 January 2012.
  4. News: Emma Hallett. Alesha Dixon quits Strictly Come Dancing for Britain's Got Talent. The Independent. 2 January 2012. 8 January 2012.
  5. Web site: Carmen Electra confirmed as 'Britain's Got Talent' guest judge. Digital Spy. UK. 6 February 2012. 6 February 2012.
  6. Web site: Simon Cowell added 250,000 of his own money to Britain's Got Talent-prize. Hooton. Christopher. The Guardian. 3 January 2012. 3 January 2012.
  7. http://talent.itv.com/2012/vote/Short-Codes Britain's Got Talent - Short Codes
  8. News: Britain's Got Talent 2012 semi-finalists 'the best in years' say Ant and Dec. Darvill. Josh. tellymix. 30 April 2012. 7 May 2012.
  9. Web site: Britain's Got Talent to hold first ever 'open audition' at London's Oval on January 22. tellymix. 3 January 2012. 8 May 2012.
  10. Web site: BGT holds first ever Open Audition. ITV. itv.com. 4 January 2012. 8 May 2012.
  11. Web site: Simon Cowell 'finds a star' on day one of Britain's Got Talent auditions in Manchester. menmedia.co.uk. 22 January 2012. 22 January 2012.
  12. Web site: Audition NOW through YouTube!. itv.com. 5 January 2012. 7 January 2012.
  13. Web site: Dannii Minogue, David Walliams 'join Britain's Got Talent'. Daniels. Colin. Digital Spy. 27 November 2011. 8 January 2012.
  14. Web site: Britain's Got Talent 2012 semi finalists all chosen. McGarry. Lisa. Unreality TV. 26 February 2012. 26 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120305073137/http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/britains-got-talent/britains-got-talent-2012-semi-finalists-all-chosen-and-simon-cowell-gets-all-cute-and-sweet-with-david-walliams-dog-bert. 5 March 2012. dead.
  15. News: 12 May 2012 . The Britain's Got Talent 2012 voting results revealed . dead . . https://web.archive.org/web/20120515082506/http://talent.itv.com/2012/news/article/read_the-britains-got-talent-2012-voting-results-revealed_item_100239.htm . 15 May 2012 . 29 May 2014.
  16. BGT . 199861434623078402 . 8 May 2012 . RT @polydorrecords: yo! @LMFAO are on @GotTalent tonight at 9.30pm on ITV... Come Party Rock with us Party Rockerrrrrrrs!!! Woop! .
  17. Web site: Britain's Got Talent 2012: Wildcard revealed and Diversity perform! Unreality TV . 12 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120513131705/http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/britains-got-talent/britains-got-talent-2012-wildcard-revealed-and-diversity-perform/ . 13 May 2012 . dead .
  18. Web site: Weekly Top 30 Programmes. Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. 6 May 2018.
  19. Web site: 'The Voice' UK, 'Britain's Got Talent' launch with colossal ratings . Paul . Millar . . 25 March 2012 . 25 March 2012.
  20. Web site: 'The Voice' UK, 'Britain's Got Talent' ratings soar in second week . Paul . Millar . . 1 April 2012 . 1 April 2012.
  21. Web site: 'The Voice' UK closes ratings gap on 'Britain's Got Talent' . Paul . Millar . . 8 April 2012 . 8 April 2012.
  22. Web site: 'The Voice' UK overtakes 'Britain's Got Talent' in ratings . Paul . Millar . . 15 April 2012 . 15 April 2012.
  23. Web site: Britain's Got Talent pips The Voice as ratings battle intensifies . Paul . Millar . . 22 April 2012 . 22 April 2012.
  24. Web site: 'Britain's Got Talent' extends lead over 'The Voice' UK . Paul . Millar . . 29 April 2012 . 29 April 2012.
  25. Web site: 'The Voice' UK anchored BBC One's night with 8.16m . Paul . Millar . . 6 May 2012 . 6 May 2012.
  26. Web site: 'Homeland' first season bows out in style with nearly 3m for C4 . Paul . Millar . . 7 May 2012 . 7 May 2012.
  27. Web site: 'Britain's Got Talent' secures 9.4 million for ITV1 . Ben . Lee . . 8 May 2012 . 8 May 2012.
  28. Web site: 'Britain's Got Talent' dips in ratings for third semi-final . Ben . Lee . . 9 May 2012 . 9 May 2012.
  29. Web site: 'Britain's Got Talent' results show beats 'The Apprentice' . Ben . Lee . . 10 May 2012 . 10 May 2012.
  30. Web site: 'Britain's Got Talent' last semi-final results show rebounds to 8.2m . Paul . Millar . . 11 May 2012 . 11 May 2012.
  31. Web site: 'Britain's Got Talent' final is most watched show of 2012 . Paul . Millar . . 13 May 2012 . 13 May 2012.
  32. News: Ofcom clears Britain's Got Talent burlesque act. 23 July 2012. BBC News. 14 April 2013.
  33. News: BGT's latest find Ryan O'Shaughnessy may be axed because he has contract with The Voice. . 1 April 2012. 31 January 2018.
  34. Web site: Simon Cowell drops Ryan O'Shaughnessy from 'Britain's Got Talent'?. Digital Spy. 5 May 2012. 31 January 2018.
  35. https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/47502/obb210.pdf