Alesha Dixon’s BLM necklace prompts nearly 2000 Ofcom complaints

The Britain’s Got Talent judge wore the necklace on Saturday’s edition of the show
Dixon's necklace has sparked controversy
ITV
Kimberley Bond24 September 2020

Ofcom has confirmed they have received more than 1,900 complaints over Alesha Dixon’s choice of jewellery on Britain’s Got Talent.

The 41-year-old wore a gold necklace which featured the letters BLM – causing thousands to register their protests to the media watchdog.

Ofcom have since said the vast majority of the complaints they have received about Saturday’s episode related Dixon’s jewellery.

A spokesperson told the BBC: “We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”

Alesha Dixon - In pictures

The National Lottery's Big Bash
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The number of complaints have risen in recent days following the episode’s broadcast, from 1,675 on Monday to 1,901.

Dixon’s BLM necklace comes just a few weeks after Britain’s Got Talent was subject to more than 24,500 complaints following a performance by the show’s 2009 winners Diversity.

The dance troupe performed a routine inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and included a reference to the death of George Floyd where a white dancer stepped on Ashley Banjo’s neck.

ITV took out advertisements to show their support to Diversity following the backlash.

Diversity's powerful routine sparked controversy from some viewers
Dymond/Thames/Syco/REX

“We are changed by what we see,” the advert read, with a picture of Ashley Banjo on his knee. “Just as we are changed when we are seen.”

Dixon had shown support for Banjo, writing: “Well done ITV for standing with Diversity! Proud of you!”

Ofcom also decided not to investigate the complaints further, and issued a statement discussing the show’s content.

Ashley Banjo spoke out about the treatment he received following the performance
@ashleybanjogram

“We carefully considered a large number of complaints about this artistic routine, an area where freedom of expression is particularly important.

“Diversity's performance referred to challenging and potentially controversial subjects, and in our view, its central message was a call for social cohesion and unity.

“Any depictions of violence by the performers were highly stylised and symbolic of recent global events, and there was no explicit reference to any particular political organisation – but rather a message that the lives of black people matter.”

Britain’s Got Talent continues Saturdays at 8pm on ITV

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