Piers Morgan blasts BGT complaints about Diversity: 'You're the problem'

Piers Morgan has blasted Britain’s Got Talent viewers who complained about Diversity’s Black Lives Matter-themed performance during the semi-finals.

So far there has been upwards of 15,000 Ofcom complaints about the dance troupe’s performance, led by Ashley Banjo, which highlighted racism and police brutality.

Piers spoke out in defence of the group, which won Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, warning people who took issue that they are ‘part of the problem’.

Speaking on Monday’s Good Morning Britain, he said: ‘What are you complaining about? They are a brilliant dance group, they’re artists.’

He added that certain people likely couldn’t ‘deal with them as a black troupe’ and read out a couple of social media comments claiming they represented ‘the Black Lives Matter Party’.

‘You don’t have to love it, you can appreciate the art. There is no Black Lives Matter Party, they’re not saying they stand by everything, they’re just saying black lives matter.’

Telling critics to simply not watch Britain’s Got Talent, Piers ploughed on: ‘You’re the problem, you’re part of the problem, if you don’t like me saying this then don’t watch us either.

‘I agree with Ashley Banjo and Diversity and I think what they did was brilliant, if you can’t handle it, wake up.’

His co-host Susanna Reid added: ‘If you think it’s an excuse to send threats, there’s something wrong with you.’

‘We’re behind you, you made such a powerful point,’ Piers continued.

‘I’m glad we helped find you, Amanda [Holden] and I were two of the judges the year you won. They were absolutely brilliant in 2009 and they’re brilliant today.’

He also read a comment from a viewer who asked why there has not been a tribute to 25-year-old Private Lee Rigby, who was murdered in Woolwich by two Islamic extremists in 2013.

Piers said: ‘All of this can be terrible at the same time, but if you’ve got a problem with watching Diversity doing what they did, you’re the problem.’

Ashley has described the ‘really nasty’ abuse he and the group have received since the episode, but added that it was ‘in the minority’.

‘The positive response has been huge, so thank you so much to everyone who has supported, shown love and stood by what we did,’ the dancer said on Instagram.

‘We are feeling positive, proud, happy, confident and we stand by every single decision we made with that performance.

‘I am not going to give it any more time than it deserves, all of the nastiness and the racism shows exactly why this performance was needed and exactly why this conversation has now arisen from it. ‘Racism is very real, especially after this performance.’

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.