Nick was persuaded to sing by his family during Saturday’s show (Picture: REX)
Britain’s Got Talent bosses has hit back at fix claims after fans questioned whether Nick Edwards’ audition was genuine.
The annual talent series returned after a two-year hiatus, and judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams, and Amanda Holden welcomed a fresh batch of hopefuls across the country.
Saturday’s long-awaited episode saw two sisters, Cali and Savannah persuading their dad Nick to perform on stage. Although he was taken aback by the surprise, Nick delivered a showstopper – which resulted in Declan Donnelly tearing up behind the scenes.
While some fans were moved by the touching moment, others claimed the audition was set up and took to Twitter to vent their frustrations.
‘Nick was wearing a microphone while sitting in the audience. He had his song lyrics & guitar. Plus everyone has to go through several auditions before even going on the TV live shows. 100% staged!!,’ one person wrote.
Another echoed: ‘Nick had no idea what was about to happen. Luckily he was mic’d up, his guitar was there and his notes/lyrics were there too!’
A BGT spokesperson said: ‘We loved welcoming back our BGT viewers back last night after a year away. To report or allude to anything being staged or contrived regarding Nick’s audition would be false and incorrect.
‘Quite simply, when Nick entered the Palladium auditorium during BGT auditions, he was approached to be part of our ‘gogglebox’ audience and told he would be mic’d up so we could capture his reactions throughout the day as he sat in the audience.
‘He was totally unsuspecting. We did this so we could mic him up without him suspecting a thing.’
![This image and the information contain herein is strictly embargoed until 21.25 Saturday 16th April 2022 From Syco/Thames Britain?s Got Talent: SR15: Ep1 on ITV and ITV Hub Pictured: Loren Allred. This photograph is (C) Syco/Thames and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052](https://i0.wp.com/metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/SEI_99184973.jpg?resize=540%2C360&ssl=1 "BGT 2022: Nick Edwards' audition wasn't staged according to bosses 1")
Loren Allred also faced backlash after viewers were aware of her musical success (Picture: ITV)
Nick wasn’t the only act that faced intense backlash from the public.
Loren Allred soared her way through to the live shows after she stunned the judges with her performance of Never Enough, from The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
While viewers agreed she nailed the song, some believe she had an ‘unfair’ advantage following her success in the industry so far.
However, Loren defended her position and stated: ‘I am an unsigned, independent artist still trying to make a name for myself.’
So far, comedian Axel Blake and singer Loren have a guaranteed spot in the live finals, but who will be joining them?
Britain’s Got Talent returns next Saturday at 8pm on ITV.
