BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT has been accused of foul play after a technical disaster left viewers accusing an Irish primary school choir of miming.
St Patrick’s Primary School choir from Co. Down were about to perform their rendition of Katy Perry’s Roar when a sound issue struck the show.
Ant and Dec took to the stage to interrupt the performance after sound from backstage mics appeared to be broadcast instead of the choir’s vocals.
Ant was heard saying: “Two secs, two secs, two secs, is everything OK?”
Dec then said: “Gonna just stop it there – we’ve just had a few technical issues.”
Viewers were quick to notice that – as the choir waited for the technical glitch to be sorted – a backing track with the children’s voices continued to play.
That choir is miming ??????. Technical issue just exposed the truth #BritainsGotTalent #BGT
— Holly? (@just_hols) May 29, 2017
Someone's head for the chop at #BGT exposing miming children. They shouldn't insult the audience.
— Andrew Wright (@AndrewWright5) May 29, 2017
Once the glitch was sorted, the 36-strong children’s choir bravely sung their hearts out in a beautiful performance of Perry’s hit.
After their performance, Dec explained: “Sound issue there, they couldn’t hear the track so we let them start again.”
Complimenting the singers, David Walliams said: “I thought it was fantastic and well-recovered from that technical hitch because it can throw people.”
Amanda Holden called the school choir a “breath of fresh air”, while Alesha Dixon was also a big fan of their performance.
Simon Cowell added: “What makes me laugh is that I know the chaos going on in the gallery and you were so calm.”
Despite the praise, some BGT viewers took to Twitter to ask if the choir were “miming” during their performance.
One viewer said: “That choir is miming! Technical issue just exposed the truth #BritainsGotTalent #BGT.”
Another added: “Are they miming after “that” technical error?????!! #BGT”.
But other viewers were quick to point out that backing tracks are used even by some of the world’s biggest acts to accompany live singing.
don't think the kids were miming? i think they just had a backing track to give them some guidance or something idk #BGT
— Katie? (@katieid_) May 29, 2017
The choir didn't have a backing track! It was their intro audio that started playing, please don't let this affect their talent #BGT
— Chloe Stout (@SassFairy) May 29, 2017
Nevertheless the technical faux pas may have proved costly, as the choir ultimately failed to get enough audience votes to make it into the show’s top three and were eliminated.
Thanks to everyone who voted for us #BGT We're not going to stop singing!
— St. Patrick's P.S (@stpatricksdrum) May 29, 2017
Kids singing without their lips moving there ? couldn't be miming on #BGT surely?? #itv #BritainsGotTalent pic.twitter.com/PFD5wiAAwi
— Mark Richards (@markr1chards) May 29, 2017
