On Saturday, April 19, 2025, the final round of auditions for Britain's Got Talent took an unexpected turn when singer Max Fox surprised both the audience and judges by shouting from the crowd, pleading for an opportunity to perform. This bold move sparked allegations of a "fix" as the moment unfolded live on air.
Max, who revealed he had been trying to audition for 19 years without success, caught the attention of the judges—Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and guest panellist KSI. Initially baffled by the interruption, the judges were skeptical about the authenticity of Max's request. Simon Cowell, 65, expressed his disbelief, asking, "Come here, are you serious? Hang on, is this a wind-up?" But as Max explained his desperation, Simon began to consider the possibility that the moment was genuine.
As Max made his way towards the stage, security intervened, unsure of how to handle the situation. However, Simon, sensing the sincerity in Max's plea, allowed him to proceed. Max insisted, "No, I'm a singer, I'm a local singer. My name's Max, Max Fox. I feel like it's my last time." After some deliberation, Simon finally agreed, telling Max, "Alright, go do it. So this isn't a set up?" To which Max replied, "I just chanced it, yeah. I got at the front of the audience and I just got lucky with this jacket, I think!"
Once on stage, Max delivered a powerful rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way," leaving the audience in awe and earning a standing ovation. The crowd erupted in applause, chanting for the Golden Buzzer, which Amanda Holden did not hesitate to press—despite having already used her Golden Buzzer earlier in the season. Overwhelmed, Amanda apologized for the rule break, admitting, "I'm in a lot of trouble because that's my second Golden Buzzer!" Max, clearly emotional, exclaimed, "I just can't believe it! It's the greatest day of my life." This moment marked the first time an audience member had successfully called out for an audition and been granted the opportunity to perform on the show.
The incident quickly sparked speculation among fans, with many questioning whether the moment had been staged. Simon Cowell strongly denied these claims, even offering to take a lie detector test to prove the authenticity of the audition. He stated, "I think I should be wired to a lie detector machine in the future to prove I'm speaking the truth because when something like this happens people instantly shout fix." He further explained, "In this case do you really think I could be bothered to plant someone in the audience? No. But that's exactly what happened."
Simon reflected on the security team's reaction during the incident, noting, "I knew it was genuine because of the way the security team reacted. He looked like he was going to try and break onto the stage or get to me." He added that he had asked the producers for confirmation before allowing Max to perform, saying, "I went over to the producers and I said, 'Pinky swear this is not a set up.' They said they had no clue about him. So we let him audition and it was an incredible moment."
Max's inspiration for auditioning came from a poignant source—his late grandfather, who passed away seven years ago. In a touching tribute, Max shared that he had sung "My Way" at his grandfather's funeral. "My grandad was egging me on in my mind. He always believed in me. He was a bit of a chancer as well – I definitely have his genes. I really believe he helped make this happen," Max told the Mirror.
This season of Britain's Got Talent has already seen a trend of bending the rules, particularly with the unprecedented use of Golden Buzzers by judges. In a significant change, it was announced that the Golden Buzzer will now feature during the live rounds for the first time in the show's 18-year history. This new twist will allow one judge or hosts Ant and Dec to send an act directly through to the grand finale each week, giving them a chance at the £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the Royal Variety Performance lineup.
From April 26, 2025, eight acts will perform each Saturday, with the public voting for their favorite to secure a place in the final. The introduction of the Golden Buzzer during live shows adds an exciting element to the competition, as it allows for unexpected moments like Max Fox's surprise audition.
Despite the controversy surrounding Max's audition, the incident has captivated audiences and reignited discussions about the authenticity of reality television. Fans have taken to social media to express their thoughts, with some questioning how the Golden Buzzer could still be pressed after all judges had already used theirs. Comments flooded in, with viewers asking, "Why were the gold confetti cannons filled when no judges had a golden buzzer left?" and "If there were no golden buzzers left, why did they still have the gold confetti loaded?" Simon has addressed these concerns, reiterating that the moment was genuine and expressing admiration for Max's determination.
As Britain's Got Talent continues to draw in viewers, the show remains a platform for aspiring performers to showcase their talents, no matter how unconventional the circumstances may be. Max Fox's story serves as a reminder of the power of perseverance and the unexpected opportunities that can arise from taking a chance.
