Piers Morgan fiercely defends Ashley Banjo and Diversity over dance row

The Good Morning Britain host and co-star Susanna Reid were discussing Ashley Banjo's response to his performance during BGT's semi-finals

Piers Morgan has told those who complained about Diversity's dance on Britain's Got Talent to not watch Good Morning Britain either.

The TV presenter and co-host Susanna Reid were discussing Ashley Banjo's response to his performance during BGT's semi-finals receiving more than 15,000 complaints.

Ashley, who is currently a judge on the ITV talent show, and his dance troupe took to the stage for a routine inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and included Ashley being knelt on by a police officer.

But the performance has sparked a range of reactions and has become one of the most complained about TV moments in the past ten years.

Following a week of discussion about the performance, Ashley made a video addressing the comments which he posted to Instagram.

In it the dancer says the group have received racial abuse and threats but sticks by the decision, captioning the post: "Feeling nothing but proud and positive."

Sharing their support on GMB on Monday, Piers and Susanna addressed the complaints.

Piers said: "What are they complaining about? I'm serious, what are you you complaining about?

"George Floyd was a black man in America who died when a white police officer put his knee on his neck for almost nine minutes... a moment that horrified the world."

He then read out some comments about people refusing to watch BGT since the performance and others who said they didn't find the dance "appropriate".

"It's that that offends you?" Piers retaliated. "Not the death of George Floyd?

"You don't have to enjoy it you can appreciate the art, it's powerful what they did."

Piers then went on: "Diversity are a brilliant dance group, they are artists.

"If you can't handle that, there's something wrong with you. You are the problem, you're part of the problem you see?

"By the way, if you don't like me saying this don't watch us either, don't watch GMB as I agree with Ashley Banjo and Diversity, and I think what they did was brilliant. If you can't handle it Britain, wake up."

Susanna agreed with her co-star and added her dismay at people who targeted Ashley and the rest of Diversity with threats over the routine.

She said: "If you think it's an excuse to send Ashley and Diversity abuse and threats, there is something wrong with you."