Strictly pro Kevin Clifton shuts down troll and shows support for Diversity's BGT performance
Kevin Clifton has shown his support for Diversity's performance highlighting the Black Lives Matter movement on Britain's Got Talent – also shutting down a troll by sharing praise for a "beautifully choreographed and performed" routine.
Diversity, who won the reality show in 2009, returned for a powerful routine during the first BGT semi-final show of 2020. Their performance reflected on some of the biggest events of 2020 so far, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the killing of George Floyd and the conversation around institutional racism.
It has since been cleared by broadcasting regulator Ofcom following some complaints by viewers because regulators found the routine to be "a call for social unity".
Related: The Ofcom complaints about Britain's Got Talent's Diversity performance don't tell the whole story
Former Strictly Come Dancing pro Kevin praised Diversity on social media earlier this week, after founding member and Britain's Got Talent guest judge Ashley Banjo tweeted: "Creativity is always a leap of faith. All I did what was what felt right and I'd do it 100 times over... Sending love to everyone that stood by us."
Retweeting Ashley's post, Kevin added: "I would be delighted to see you do it again and again. Art is there to move people, challenge people, create emotion, make people think, express and entertain. I loved the piece and applaud you for doing it."
I would be delighted to see you do it again and again. Art is there to move people, challenge people, create emotion, make people think, express and entertain. I loved the piece and applaud you for doing it 👊 https://t.co/LLlD52jpLG
— Kevin Clifton (@keviclifton) September 17, 2020
Kevin also shut down a Twitter user who, in a now-deleted post, criticised Diversity's routine.
He wrote: "Not a publicity stunt. A beautifully choreographed and performed piece of expression by a highly skilled group of dancers."
Kevin also retweeted another since-deleted post from the same user, writing in response: "No. But Strictly have done a number every year around rememberance today remembering the deaths of soldiers, many of them white.
"Sorry if you felt that was a woke agenda being shoved down your throat but then it didn't get any complaints."
Britain's Got Talent also released a statement in full support of Diversity's "heartfelt" performance earlier this week.
"Britain's Got Talent has always been an inclusive show, which showcases diversity and supports strong storytelling in all forms and ITV stands behind the decision to broadcast Diversity's performance on BGT," a spokesperson said.
"Ashley and the group are a great example of the talent, creativity and diversity of modern Britain and their performance was an authentic, heartfelt response to many of the issues and events which have affected society in 2020."
The Britain's Got Talent semi-finals continue tonight (September 19) on ITV.
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