Fans of the popular ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent found themselves shocked and divided over the recent performance by Auzzy Blood, which some branded as 'disgusting' and 'gruesome.' This act, which aired on February 24, 2025, during the first episode of the series, featured extreme sword swallowing routines involving large corkscrews and metal hooks, leading to significant controversy and debate.
Appearing on stage with gothic makeup, Auzzy Blood's performance began with him pushing giant corkscrews through his nose and out of his mouth. Reactions from the judges were immediate and visceral, with Amanda Holden reportedly screaming, "Crikey!" and Alesha Dixon turning away, visibly gagging as she struggled to handle the sight.
For his second act, Auzzy fed a long piece of tubing through his mouth, then invited Simon Cowell to sip from the contraption, prompting Cowell's astonished squirming. Despite the uncomfortable nature of the act, Simon later declared, "This is one of my favourite acts of the day, genuinely!" highlighting the performance's bizarre appeal.
Alesha, who pressed her buzzer due to her discomfort, later addressed the act on Loose Women, stating, "I get it," recognizing the mixture of horror and humor involved. She described the experience as difficult to watch up close but acknowledged its entertainment value when viewed from afar. "People are going to love it, some people are not, but that's the show," she remarked, emphasizing the diversity of acts featured on the program.
The juxtaposition of praise and criticism continued as viewers reacted to Auzzy's performance. While some fans labeled it 'insane' and 'horrifically brilliant', others took to social media with outrage. One viewer condemned the show, saying, "Absolutely awful, why on earth would you put this sort of thing on before 9 o’clock and with children... watching at home?" Another echoed similar sentiments, noting, "It's not even 9 PM," expressing concerns about the appropriateness of content before the watershed. There were reports of parents dealing with traumatized children who witnessed the spectacle and were unsettled by Auzzy’s antics.
Despite the strong backlash, there were moments of applause as Auzzy Blood earned enthusiastic cheers and applause from the live audience. Some viewers proclaimed him to be 'brilliant' for his courage to perform such daring stunts. Nonetheless, the act ignited conversations about the limits of stage performances, particularly on family-friendly television.
Simon Cowell remarked on the nature of the act, stating, "It's spooky horror where you don't want to watch it, but you do want to watch it. That's obviously why we're going to show it. We will probably get complaints. Hopefully." His comments reflected the show's push to balance outrageous performances with traditional talent, albeit with risks involved.
Viewers were not alone as complaints began flooding toward Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, demanding scrutiny of the performance. Several tweets criticized the show for inappropriate content, with one parent claiming, "@ofcom will be getting lots of complaints tomorrow from this guy hanging from his nose. My daughters nearly throwing up and I just couldn't look at all."
Despite the mixed reactions, the show’s producers defended their decision to air the act, emphasizing the need for variety and the importance of capturing audience attention with unique acts. They believe bringing contrasting performances enhances the overall viewing experience, catering to both those who instinctively recoil at such performances and those who revel in them. This balancing act is what Britain's Got Talent has crafted over the years.
Going forward, the future of such extreme performances on the show remains uncertain. While Britain's Got Talent seeks to provoke reactions and stimulate conversations through its diverse acts, it must also navigate viewer sensibilities, especially with younger audiences. Auzzy Blood’s performance has sparked extensive discussion about what constitutes entertainment on family-oriented television—what shocks, what entertains, and what may simply be too jarring for the mainstream audience.
Finally, the debate surrounding Auzzy Blood’s act is likely to continue as the series progresses. With new contestants set to appear through March, audiences await to see how the show's producers will balance innovative performances with sensitivities toward family-viewing standards. The show, known for its unpredictability, has long danced along the line of groundbreaking and just plain shocking.