Britain’s Got Talent has never shied away from courting controversy, but the latest episode, aired on April 18, 2026, has sparked a particularly intense wave of viewer reactions—ranging from outrage and disgust to bewildered amusement. As the final round of auditions for the show’s 19th series unfolded on ITV, two acts in particular left both the studio audience and millions watching at home with strong opinions—and in many cases, queasy stomachs.
The night’s most divisive moment came courtesy of Fakir Testa, a 45-year-old performer whose audacious and dangerous stunt had everyone on edge. According to Wales Online, Testa’s act involved standing atop sharp blades and having more blades pressed against his neck, all under the watchful eyes of judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and KSI, as well as the ever-present hosts Ant and Dec. The tension in the studio was palpable, with audience members visibly squirming, averting their gaze, and peeking through their fingers. Amanda Holden was seen shielding her face with her hands, while Alesha Dixon admitted she was “stressed” and promptly slammed her red buzzer, joined by an equally unimpressed Simon Cowell.
The spectacle didn’t end there. In a twist that had the crowd gasping, Fakir Testa invited Simon Cowell onto the stage, asking him to take a seat in a waiting car. With a blade pressed against his neck, Testa then proceeded to pull the car—with Cowell inside—across the stage. KSI, ever the showman, could be heard exclaiming, “You madman, you crazy madman,” capturing both the disbelief and reluctant admiration in the room.
However, not everyone was entertained. As soon as the act aired, ITV flashed a prominent “do not try at home” warning on screen—a move that did little to quell the storm brewing on social media. Viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) in droves, voicing their discomfort and anger at what many saw as a step too far for family entertainment. One viewer wrote, “WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK IS THIS? #BGT.” Another fumed, “This is NOT a family show #bgt.” The frustration was palpable, with comments like, “Fs sake. This is on pre watershed. Do better #itv,” and “This is NOT talent! This is f lunacy.”
Some viewers were so disturbed they claimed to feel physically ill, with one admitting, “I can’t watch! Why are they showing this for family entertainment #BGT ?!!?” Another called the act “utterly inappropriate,” echoing the sentiment of many who felt the show had crossed a line. “There are far too many of these Don’t try this at home stunts on #bgt. How about don’t show them on the Tele?” one viewer suggested, highlighting a growing concern about the escalation of dangerous acts on prime-time TV.
Despite the uproar, there were a few who found Testa’s performance compelling, if hard to watch. One impressed viewer posted, “Faki Testa – oh my days that was strange so hard to watch but b**y brilliant entertainment.” Another, drawing from personal experience, offered, “The blade has to move sideways to cut or use a large amount of energy to chop. My Kung Fu teacher had us do this, including spears in our throats, back in the day #BGT.”
After the successful completion of his audition, even Alesha Dixon seemed to reconsider her earlier red buzzer decision, a moment that did not go unnoticed by the show’s fans. The live audience in Blackpool appeared more receptive, with many watching in awe rather than horror, underscoring the divide between the in-person energy and the at-home discomfort.
But if Testa’s act left viewers rattled, what followed next only added fuel to the fire. The night also featured the much-anticipated Golden Buzzer moment, a staple of the Britain’s Got Talent format that sends a contestant straight through to the live shows. This time, it was YouTuber and judge KSI who took center stage—though not in the way many expected.
Mr Cherry, a 44-year-old comedian and strongman with a Guinness World Record and a stint on America’s Got Talent under his belt, delivered what can only be described as a truly unusual performance. He began by opening a tight jar of pickles, a feat neither KSI nor Simon Cowell could manage. He then crushed cans by sitting on them, but the act took a bizarre turn when he stripped off and opened wine bottles with his buttocks. The judges and audience squirmed, but KSI, apparently won over by the sheer audacity, smashed his Golden Buzzer, sending Mr Cherry straight to the live shows.
In a moment of slapstick chaos, KSI ran onto the stage to celebrate, only to slip and slide across the confetti-strewn floor, taking Mr Cherry with him. Returning to his seat, KSI declared, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I don’t know about you but that was the greatest thing I have ever seen.”
The reaction at home, however, was less enthusiastic. Social media lit up with criticism, many branding it the “worst Golden Buzzer” decision in the show’s history. One viewer tweeted, “I’m sorry this show is finished #bgt.” Another questioned, “A Golden Buzzer? How bloody ridiculous #KSI #BGT #BritainsGotTalent.” A third vented, “WTF?! Why the hell did KSI give that act the golden buzzer, when he spent the entirety of it squirming uncomfortably? It’s beyond a joke.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with comments like, “Worst Golden Buzzer #BGT,” and “KSI HOW IS THAT GOLDEN BUZZER WORTHY???”
These reactions highlight the ongoing tension between the show’s commitment to shock-and-awe entertainment and its identity as a family-friendly program. This season, featuring judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and KSI, along with hosts Ant and Dec, has been particularly polarizing. While the live studio audience often responds with enthusiasm, viewers at home are increasingly vocal about their discomfort with acts they deem inappropriate for children or simply too outlandish to qualify as talent.
It’s a tricky balancing act for ITV. The broadcaster’s decision to issue on-screen warnings suggests an awareness of the risks, but the backlash indicates that many viewers feel the line between daring entertainment and irresponsibility has been blurred. As the competition moves into the live shows, only time will tell whether Britain’s Got Talent will heed the calls for more family-friendly fare—or continue to push the envelope in pursuit of viral moments and headline-grabbing stunts.
For now, one thing is clear: Britain’s Got Talent still knows how to get people talking, even if not everyone likes what they see.