Diversity returned to Britain’s Got Talent to perform on the show’s Christmas special on Friday night, after their BLM-inspired dance sparked 24,500 complaints.
The dance group were joined by judge Ashley Banjo, Diversity Juniors (DVJ) and former winner George Samson to put on a heart-warming festive routine for viewers.
Of their routine, Ashley explained: ‘We want to tell the story of Christmas magic, and why this time of the year everyone should be coming together.’
BGT Christmas special: Diversity returned to perform a heart-warming festive routine on Friday after their controversial BLM-inspired dance sparked 24,500 complaints
Perri Kiely said of bringing the two groups together with George: ‘We’re going to put it in a Christmassy cauldron, put it together and see what comes out.’
The moving dance saw a member of DVJ take centre stage as she played a child alone at Christmas, who was then joined by the junior troupe and George.
Diversity then came on stage with her and after showing off their sensational moves Ashley took to the stage to dance alongside them.
Ending on a sweet message, the dance saw the group put on a light show which then showed the message ‘reach out this Christmas’.
Controversy: Diversity’s performance on the most recent series of Britain’s Got Talent received 24,500 Ofcom complaints, making it the most complained about TV moment of the year
Great performance: Diversity were joined by judge Ashley Banjo, Diversity Juniors (DVJ) and former winner George Samson to put on a heart-warming festive routine for viewers
Poignant: Ending on a sweet message, the dance saw the group put on a light show which then showed the message ‘reach out this Christmas’
Amanda Holden was delighted by the performance, as she gushed: ‘Honestly there’s just so much talent on that stage, especially the young ones coming through, you choreographed this so well Ashely.’
David Walliams praised the dance as ‘beautiful’ and ‘really heartfelt’, and Alesha Dixon added: ‘Number one fan over here, always a pleasure and an honour watching them perform.’
Diversity’s performance on the most recent series of Britain’s Got Talent received 24,500 Ofcom complaints, making it the most complained about TV moment of the year.
ITV ‘stood with Diversity’ as they featured adverts in national newspapers in support of the controversial dance while Ofcom announced they will not investigate the complaints any further.
Routine: Diversity’s performance saw group leader Ashley have a white man’s knee leaning on his neck, in reference to the death of black man George Floyd earlier this year
Support: ITV ‘stood with Diversity’ as they featured adverts in national newspapers in support of the controversial dance while Ofcom announced they will not investigate the complaints any further
The act saw group leader Ashley have a white man’s knee leaning on his neck, in reference to the death of black man George Floyd earlier this year.
In October, Ashley admitted he has been encouraged to ramp up his Black Lives Matter campaign following the ‘hate’ he received over his Diversity routine, as he said he would perform the same routine 100 times over, and
He revealed that although the routine sparked backlash, it also started a dialogue which lasted weeks as he dubbed it the one of the ‘most impactful conversation starters the country has ever seen’.
Sharing a new video about the controversy surrounding the routine, Ashley thanked his fans for their support over the past few weeks, while also admitting he will ‘never forget’ the hate that he has been subject to.
Encouraging: In October, Ashley admitted he has been encouraged to ramp up his Black Lives Matter campaign following the ‘hate’ he received over his Diversity routine
Alongside the clip, he wrote: ‘One of the most complained about moments of the decade? Yes… But also one of the most impactful conversation starters the country has ever seen. I’ll take that… And I’d do it 100 times over.’
Discussing the complaints the routine received, he said: ‘I don’t think we anticipated the level at which this would cause a sort of uproar.
Ashley wasn’t the only judge to perform on the programme, as Alesha Dixon sang Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas alongside piano player Tokyo.
After her stunning performance, she admitted: ‘Oh my god, I was so nervous. I don’t do ballads, I’m more of a temp kind of girl… I was very nervous performing to the other judges.’
Stunning: Ashley wasn’t the only judge to perform on the programme, as Alesha Dixon sang Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas alongside piano player Tokyo
Incredible: After her stunning performance, she admitted: ‘Oh my god, I was so nervous. I don’t do ballads, I’m more of a temp kind of girl… I was very nervous
But Amanda, Ashley and David were full of praise, as the latter claimed he’d like to see her do an album with Amanda, and joked: ‘You made that song a bit raunchy.’
Co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly laughed at what David said, with the former hitting back: ‘It’s Christmas day, let’s leave it there.’
David didn’t hold back in his savage roasting of the Britain’s Got Talent judges as he transformed into The Queen for a cheeky take on her Christmas message.
The comedian delivered his own New Year’s honours to his fellow judges, poking fun at everything from Amanda Holden’s revealing gowns to Alesha Dixon’s music career.
Roasting! David Walliams also didn’t hold back in his savage roasting of the Britain’s Got Talent judges as he transformed into The Queen for a cheeky take on her Christmas message
Hilarious: The comedian delivered his own New Year’s honours to his fellow judges, poking fun at everything from Amanda Holden’s revealing gowns to Alesha Dixon’s music career
While the speech sees ‘The Queen’ wished viewers a Happy Christmas, she also announced the judges will be given honours in the annual New Year’s list.
David said: ‘Now for the New Year’s and my honours list, Alesha Dixon will be made CBE for her services to music… by which I mean she’s retiring.’
Referencing his colleague’s racy gowns which have become a fixture on the BGT panel, he continues: ‘Amanda Holden will be made an OBE for her environmental work, she always ensures her dresses use a quarter of the amount of fabric.
‘Ashley Banjo will be made an MBE for his charity work for the elderly and infirm in taking over from Simon Cowell.
Return: The show delighted viewers with its special show which saw a number of past contestants and winners, including Calum Scott (pictured) and the Mersey Girls
‘And as for Ant and Dec, they’ll be named the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle, a city so close to their hearts; they’ve lived in London for the past 25 years.’
The show delighted viewers with its special show which saw a number of past contestants and winners, including Calum Scott and the Mersey Girls.
David Walliams hosted a comedy extravaganza alongside Francine Lewis, Lost Voice Guy, Steve Royle, Robert White and Daliso Chaponda, with a special appearance from Katherine and Joe.
2019 winner Colin Thackery sang What A Wonderful World in a pre-recorded remote performance, which celebrated the work of key workers in 2020.