Diversity’s Perri Kiely talks BGT backlash as he tells the world to ‘wake up’

Diversity dancer Perri Kiely has fired back at critics after Britain's Got Talent was hit with 2,966 Ofcom complaints after his group's Black Lives Matter inspired routine last weekend.

The performance referenced George Floyd's death in May and saw a police officer kneeling on Ashley Banjo's neck, as dancers dropped to one knee and said: "I can't breathe."

It was met with a standing ovation from the studio audience but was met by mixed opinions from viewers at home.

Now Perri has told how he is "heartbroken" at the backlash to the performance.

He wrote on Twitter: "It’s exactly as I expect yet I struggle to understand what goes on inside so many people’s heads…the world needs to wake up.

"This is genuinely heartbreaking #BLM #Diversity #BGT."

He also retweeted a statement from Ashley, which thanked fans for their support.

Perri's fans rushed to the comments section to send him their support.

One wrote: "Perri you and the rest of Diversity should be so proud of your performance on Saturday. It was so powerful, so inspirational. Gave me goosebumps. It was Hard hitting which is what it needed to be. Feeling well proud of you all."

Today Ashley also defended the routine on Instagram.

He wrote: "Art: The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. My truth, my platform, my art.

"I've always tried to create not only to entertain but also to inspire… That will never change."

Ashley also referenced Martin Luther King Jr quote as he revealed he was both "grateful" and "overwhelmed" by the support.

He added: "'Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter' – Martin Luther King Jr."

Some critics said Britain's Got Talent should not be "politicised" while others praised its thought-provoking and emotive retelling of some of this year's biggest news events.

A representative for Ofcom said: "I can confirm that we have received 1,121 complaints for Britain’s Got Talent on 5 September, most of which were in relation to the Diversity performance."

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