BRITAIN’S Got Talent complaints over Alesha Dixon’s Black Lives Matter necklace have risen to almost 2,000.
Broadcast regulator Ofcom has confirmed it has now had 1,901 complaints about the talent judge’s choice of jewellery during Saturday’s show.
The 41-year-old judge appeared in a statement gold necklace that featured the initials BLM.
A spokesperson for Ofcom told HOAR: “We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
It came after the show received the most Ofcom complaints in a decade after Diversity’s BLM-inspired dance routine two weeks ago.
Alesha’s choice of jewellery divided opinion, with some insisting “political” references had no place on the family show.
One viewer tweeted “BGT alesha’s necklace disgusting. Why are you allowing political statements. #AleshaDixon if #SimonCowell was there I don’t think you’d be wearing it.”
It was also applauded by many, with one fan posting: “Why are some weirdos hurt about the beautiful Alesha Dixon wearing a necklace.
“Well done to Alesha Dixon. Seriously you want to boycott bgt because of a necklace that’s crazy!”
Another praised the former Mis-Teeq’s star‘s bravery, saying: “I love how Alesha doesn’t give a F.”
She wore the jewellery after fellow judge Ashley Banjo – who is standing in for Simon Cowell – was the subject of criticism after performing with his dance group Diversity.
The dance, which made references to the Black Lives Matter movement as it looked back at the events of 2020 so far, received more than 24,000 complaints.
It depicted the moments before the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in the US in May after a white police officer knelt on his neck.
Ashley, 31, was seen with a white cop kneeling on him during the performance, which also featured backing dancers in riot gear.
Alesha joined the debate around the performance in the days after it happened telling critics: “Kiss my black a**.”
It came after the Diversity frontman shared an image of himself alongside boxer Anthony Joshua and Formula 1 racer Lewis Hamilton.
Underneath the pictures, it read: “Dear Joshua and Banjo and other Black public figures.
“We the Great British Public will only support you if you entertain us and do not say anything about racism.”
Alesha replied: “They can kiss my black a**”.
ITV put out an advert in the wake of the row reading: “We are changed by what we see. Just as we are changed when we are seen.”
After it was published in national newspapers including HOAR, Ashley posted: “This is what change looks like.”
