ITV Britain's Got Talent viewers in uproar as singer 'misses out' on Golden Buzzer
Britain's Got Talent fans were left utterly gobsmacked and took to social media to vent their frustration after Innocent Masuku's stunning audition didn't earn him a Golden Buzzer.
The South African opera singer wowed the judges with his powerful performance of Lucio Dalla's 'Caruso', but despite the unanimous praise, he walked away without the coveted shortcut to the finals.
The drama unfolded on social media on Sunday 21 April, as viewers couldn't believe what they were seeing. They quickly expressed their dismay, comparing Innocent's snub to Sydnie Christmas, who was the first act of the series to receive a Golden Buzzer.
Fans didn't hold back their feelings, with one tweeting, "How didn't he get a golden buzzer! This show is so backwards", while another added, "That was powerful! Should have been a golden buzzer! ! ! "
The conversation continued to grow as more chimed in; one person wrote: "He amazing still crying #BGT he deserves the golden buzzer." Another agreed, saying, "should've been a golden buzzer if we're being honest."
One viewer expressed their frustration, saying: "How "the best opera singer we've ever had" doesn't get a golden buzzer, but Sidney Christmas, a trained professional who is already successful does... this is why #BGT is forever frustrating." Another agreed, stating: "If anyone deserved a golden buzzer, it was him. Absolutely brilliant voice, finally a decent act."
However, when judge Amanda Holden labelled Innocent as the "best opera singer" in the show's history after his audition, fans of "BGT" couldn't help but see this as a slight against former contestant and Welsh tenor Paul Potts. One amused viewer commented: "A smack in the face for Paul Potts from Amanda right there." Another quickly concurred: "Amanda throwing casual shade at Paul Potts there, ‘best opera singer they've ever had’”.
The 17th season of Britain's Got Talent kicked off on Saturday, April 20, with Amanda Holden awarding the first Golden Buzzer of the season to West End veteran Sydnie Christmas. This revelation sent viewers into a frenzy at the time, but many will be surprised to learn that Innocent has also enjoyed considerable success before his Britain's Got Talent audition.
A quick Google search reveals that the Mpumalanga-born talent is featured as an artist on the English National Opera's website.
The site boasts of the 34 year old being an "ENO Harewood artist" and highlights his impressive array of accolades, including a Merit award in the 2019 SAMRO competition, a Drake Calleja Trust award, support from the Tillett Trust fund, the Oppenheimer International Scholarship, and The Countess of Munster Musical Trust Study Award.
Innocent has recently taken the stage in Jonathan Miller's production of The Barber of Seville as Count Almaviva at the London Coliseum. His repertoire extends to several other stage productions, with roles in Carmen, The Dead City, The Yeomen of the Guard, and Gloriana.
