Britain's Got Talent comedian wasn't fussed about not winning: 'It doesn't always look like great fun'

Markus Birdman reached last year's semi-final.

Dan Seddon
·2-min read
Markus Birdman, BGT finalist Joker Comedy Club, Chalkwell Park Rooms, Southend-on-Sea, Essex © Clarissa Debenham (Film Free Photography) / Alamy
Markus Birdman reached last year's Britain's Got Talent semi-final. (Film Free Photography/Alamy)

Britain's Got Talent star Markus Birdman claims that winning the show might not be all it's cracked up to be.

In last year's series, the comedian sailed all the way to the semi-finals before crashing out of the competition. Fellow funnyman Viggo Venn, who caused BBC Breakfast host Sally Nugent to shriek during a manic guest appearance, was ultimately crowned the champion and pocketed a neat £250,000 in the process.

Discussing his experience with The Express, Birdman admitted: "I'd love to have made it to the final of course. But winning - it's a lot of pressure.

Read more: Simon Cowell calls Spice Girls 'singing dogs' at Britain's Got Talent

"I mean I know Viggo, and I know he's had a lot of props for winning it, but then he's also had a lot of criticism for winning it. So, it doesn't always look like great fun. But it would have been nice to have been in the final. Semi-final is very good though, and it surprised me to get that far."

From Lifted Entertainment THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE 2023 Sunday 17th December 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Britains Got Talent winner Viggo Venn performing on stage at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal Variety Performance 2023 Bradley Walsh to host this year’s Royal Variety Performance at The Royal Albert Hall in London with performances from Cher, a very special celebration of 100 years of Disney & BGT winner Viggo Venn Award-winning and esteemed entertainer, actor and presenter Bradley Walsh is to host The Royal Variety Performance 2023 from the magnificent Royal Albert Hall in London, in the presence of members of the Royal Family. This annual event will be a spectacular evening featuring international stars, world class theatre, sensational singers and hilarious comedy. Our headliners this year will be multi-award winning, legendary superstar Cher who will be making a very special appearance to perform a number from her wonderful new Christmas album. And an exclusive 100th Anniversary celebration from Disney Theatrical, showcasing an astounding medley, featuring performances from the casts of The Lion King, Frozen, Aladdin, Hercules and Beauty & The Beast. Stars lined up to appear are pop rock band McFly who are celebrating their 20th Anniversary, Glastonbury favourite and much loved singer Rick Astley, pop sensation Zara Larsson, Paloma Faith performing her latest single and the phenomenal Hannah Waddingham who will be accompanied by the ENO chorus. There will also be a beautiful collaboration from the outstanding world class pianist Lang Lang who will be joined by fourteen year-old Lucy, the incredible winner of Channel 4’s The Piano. As well as music from Melanie C who will be performing a very special tribute to theatre producer Bill Kenwright. Also taking to the stage are the cast from the uplifting and ground breaking new West End musical The Little Big Things. An extraordinary and inspirational true life story. The evening will also feature the outstanding West End casts from Crazy For You, the award winning and vocal powerhouse Beverley Knight with the cast of Sister Act, the thrilling Argentinian dancing troupe Malevo, a magical performance from Derren Brown’s West End creation Unbelievable and Simon Cowell will introduce Britain’s Got Talent winner comedian Viggo Venn. Plus, world class stand-up from the brilliant Tom Allen, Rosie Jones, Ellie Taylor and Simon Brodkin. The National Anthem will be led by The Fanfare Trumpeters of The Band of the Welsh Guards and the National Youth Choir. (C) ITV For further information please contact Peter Gray Mob 07831460662 / peter.gray@itv.com This photograph is (C) *** and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned herein. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
Fellow comedian Viggo Venn ran out as the competition winner. (ITV)

Venn, who hails from Norwegian town Kongsberg and trained at the prestigious clown school École Philippe Gaulier, turned out to be Britain's Got Talent's third comedy winner in a row.

Axel Blake and Jon Courtenay - whose jokey lyrics accompanied his piano music - started off this impressive streak in 2022 and 2020.

"They've been asking comics," revealed Birdman of the show's producers. "They've asked me for a few years, so I just thought, 'Oh, go on then, I'll have a go,' without any agenda or thinking how far I'm going to get with this. It's such a good platform and such good exposure."

Let's see if the 2024 competition continues this knee-slapping trend.

Britain's Got Talent will return to ITV at a later date.

Watch: Richard Madeley criticises Britain's Got Talent for David Walliams audio leak

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