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Ashley Banjo makes a defiant entrance to 'Britain's Got Talent' after 15,000 complaints

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25:  Ashley Banjo attends the National Television Awards on January 25, 2017 in London, United Kingdom.  (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Ashley Banjo attends the National Television Awards on January 25, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Ashley Banjo made a defiant entrance on Britain’s Got Talent this weekend, walking onstage to Elton John classic I’m Still Standing.

Last weekend, a performance by dance troupe Diversity depicted Banjo being knelt on by a white ‘police officer’ in reference to the death of George Floyd at the hands of US police.

The powerful Black Lives Matter performance has since been complained about over 15,000 times, according to TV watchdog Ofcom.

The only TV incident to receive more complaints in the past decade is Celebrity Big Brother’s 2018 ‘punchgate’, which garnered over 25,000 complaints when former Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett falsely accused Coronation Street’s Ryan Thomas of hitting her.

BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Jordan Banjo, Perri Kiely and Ashley Banjo of Diversity attend the Nickelodoen Slimefest at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on October 19, 2019 in Blackpool, England. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images for Nickelodeon Slimefest)
Jordan Banjo, Perri Kiely and Ashley Banjo of Diversity attend the Nickelodoen Slimefest at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on October 19, 2019. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images for Nickelodeon Slimefest)

A spokesperson for Ofcom told MailOnline last week: “We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”

Banjo addressed the backlash on Instagram.

Read more: Jordan Banjo reveals online abuse as Ofcom complaints over Diversity's Black Lives Matter routine near 3000

Posting a picture of himself, boxer Antony Joshua and Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton with a caption suggesting black stars should not discuss racism, he wrote: “For the people sending this: 1. You do not represent or speak for the Great British public. 2. Silence was never and will never be an option. 3. Change is inevitable... Get used to it.”

Banjo received a host of support from fellow entertainers and friends, including BGT colleague Alesha Dixon, who said people sending Banjo such messages could “kiss my black a***”.

JLS star Aston Merrygold also commented, saying: “It’s like that yeah! Guess it’s time to speak louder for the people that can’t quite hear!”

Banjo’s brother and Diversity colleague Jordan Banjo spoke of the response to the performance, saying though they had received positive messages, there had been some negativity too.

Read more: Alesha Dixon backs Diversity after 'BGT' dance sparks complaints

Talking on Wednesday’s edition of Kiss Breakfast Show, he said: “We also got bombarded with messages and articles of horrible stuff about us, about our families… I can’t speak for anyone else. It’s sad, it’s sad, genuinely.

“I feel really anxious and worried saying something like black lives matter when that’s all we want, man. Love and positivity.

“No one is saying only black lives matter, it’s all positivity and love. Let’s keep it moving.”