Alesha Dixon sparks new Britain’s Got Talent controversy by wearing Black Lives Matter necklace – as unrepentant ITV bosses spent £260,000 on newspaper adverts defending Diversity’s BLM inspired routine
- Alesha Dixon, 41, sparked controversy with a Black Lives Matter necklace on BGT
- BGT Judge appeared on the pre-recorded semi-final with statement gold chain
- ITV ‘stood with Diversity’ as they featured adverts in national newspapers in support of the controversial Black Lives Matters Britain’s Got Talent dance
Alesha Dixon has sparked controversy with a Black Lives Matter necklace after ITV rolled out full-page ads in solidarity with Diversity as Ofcom complaints reach 24,500.
The Britain’s Got Talent Judge, 41, appeared on the pre-recorded semi-final in a bright yellow dress and a gold necklace with ‘B’ ‘L’ and ‘M’ pendants for the Saturday night show.
It comes as ITV ‘stood with Diversity’ as they featured adverts in national newspapers in support of the controversial Black Lives Matters Britain’s Got Talent dance.
Statement: Alesha Dixon has sparked controversy with a Black Lives Matter necklace after ITV roll out full-page ads in solidarity with Diversity as Ofcom complaints reach 24,500
The Miss-Teeq star appeared in the off-shoulder yellow ensemble featuring a ruffle hem but all eyes were on her statement necklace.
Britain’s Got Talent fans expressed their opinions of the necklace on Twitter with some revealing how they were ‘loving’ the choice while others said: ‘ITV are a disgrace’.
One wrote: ‘Big props to Alesha Dixon wearing a BLM necklace on BGT. If anyone has any issues with it then they don’t deserve human rights #BLM #bgtsemifinals.’
Support: The Britain’s Got Talent Judge appeared on the pre-recorded semi-final in a bright yellow dress and a gold necklace with ‘B’ ‘L’ and ‘M’ pendants for the Saturday night show
‘Absolutely loving Alesha Dixon necklace, making a statement @BGT #BlackLivesMatter #BLM #BGT,’ another added.
A third said: ‘Alesha Dixon wearing a BLM necklace is such a power move and I am HERE for it #BGT #BritainsGotTalent.’
Yet another penned: ‘Alesha Dixon is wearing a BLM necklace… ITV are a disgrace.’
Proud: The Miss-Teeq star appeared in the off-shoulder yellow ensemble featuring a ruffle hem but all eyes were on her statement necklace
ITV are believed to have spent around £260,000 on the newspaper ads with full-page monochrome pieces in The Metro costing £36,461 and £27,700 in The Mirror.
Alesha was one of many who praised ITV for standing by the dance troupe. The singer took to Instagram to share a snap of the advert and gushed over how ‘proud’ she was with them.
In her caption, she wrote: ‘Well done @ITV for standing with Diversity! Proud of you! This image is in all of the national newspapers today.’
Opinions: Britain’s Got Talent fans express their thoughts on the necklace on Twitter with some revealing how they were ‘loving’ the choice while others said: ‘ITV are a disgrace’
Making a statement: ITV’s advert shows Ashley kneeling during Diversity’s performance, and said ‘we are changed by what we see. Just as we are changed when we are seen’
Fellow judge Ashley Banjo, 31, also shared his gratitude with ITV for standing by Diversity over their Black Lives Matter-inspired performance.
The poster showed a poignant black and white image of Ashley taking the knee alongside the words: ‘We are changed by what we see. Just as we are changed when we are seen. ITV stand with Diversity.’
Sharing a snap of the same advert, which shows him kneeling in black-and-white, he wrote: ‘This is what change looks like.
‘@ITV stand with @Diversity and we’ve never been prouder. This is in all the national papers today. Thank you again to everyone that has supported us.’
Diversity star Jordan Banjo, 27, who features in the dance troupe with his brother Ashley, also shared a picture of the ITV advert to his Instagram stories on Saturday.
Grateful: The singer took to Instagram on Saturday to share a snap of the advert, and wrote: ‘Well done @ITV for standing with Diversity’
Fans also took to Twitter to share their delight over the advert, as one wrote: ‘This is how you support #BlackLivesMatter – well done @ITV for not only standing behind @Diversity_Tweet but standing alongside.’
Another added: ‘Yes ITV!! Time for change, time for solidarity.’
One user praised: ‘ITV backing Diversity on #BGT: Good on them. ITV running a national advertisement campaign in support of what Diversity did: I’m speechless. This is how you make a statement.’
Others, however, raised concern, but were unable to reply directly to ITV’s announcement, as the broadcaster had turned the option off.
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
‘Proud of you!’ Alesha Dixon praised ITV on Saturday for taking out newspaper adverts to support Diversity’s BLM-inspired dance