Ashley Banjo appeared defiant at the beginning of Saturday's Britain’s Got Talent as he emerged on the show stage to the tune of Sir Elton John’s classic song I’m Still Standing.
The latest episode was aired one week after the Black Lives Matter inspired dance routine by 31-year-old Ashley and his dance troupe, Diversity, sparked 15,000 Ofcom complaints.
Some feel his appearance on stage this weekend to the tune of I’m Still Standing serves as a message of defiance in the face of the Ofcom backlash.
However, the semi-final episodes of BGT were filmed in advance and before the backlash even began, making it a happy coincidence for Ashley.
Some viewers were angered by Diversity’s BLM performance – claiming it was a politicised dance that was “inappropriate” for a family friendly 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 furore.
Meanwhile, Ashley himself – who won season three of BGT as part of Diversity in 2009 – has expressed his joy at being able to bother perform and judge on BGT as he was drafted as an extra judge on the current season while show overlord Simon Cowell recovers from injuring himself in a bike accident.
Ashley told show hosts Ant and Dec on Saturday night’s episode: “I loved it, I loved being on this side of the desk but you guys got me up there as well.
“So it's my first week where I get to sit back and enjoy the show.”
Ofcom have so far refused to reveal if they will investigate BGT in light of the backlash.
A spokesperson told the MailOnline: “We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
The episode of BGT is now the second most complained about TV moment following Celebrity Big Brother ’s “punchgate” from 2018.
That incident was caused when ex-Coronation Street star Roxanne Pallett falsely accusing Ryan Thomas of punching her – garnering 25,327 complaints.
Fans have also defended Ashley over the suggestion his stage appearance to I’m Still Standing could have been in response to the Ofcom complaints.
One Twitter user wrote: “this episode was filmed a few weeks ago before his performance even aired! I was in the audience!”
