Britain's Got Talent's Bruno Tonioli 'defends' Golden Buzzer act after ITV backlash

Bruno Tonioli has 'defend' his decision to hit the Golden Buzzer for singer Taryn Charles this year, after her established music career and appearance on another TV show, sparked a backlash from fans.

In his second seriis on the ITV programme, Bruno hit the Buzzer in the third week of audition episodes, having been blown away by Taryn's powerful rendition of You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman. However, while the audience at the London palladium and many viewers at home were too mightily impressed by Taryn's performance, critics quickly took aim at Bruno online for 'wasting' his pick on her, having found out that she'd been a backing vocalist for stars like Candi Staton and recognised her for being a contestant on ITV's Starstruck, as a Whitney Houston tribute.

Reacting to what they'd found out, one critic blasted: "Just like Sydnie Christmas, already established. Didn't deserve the golden buzzer. I thought this show was to give unknown members of the public a chance?" with another writing: "Already experienced stage singer gets golden buzzer - non-shocker"

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Bruno spoke about Taryn when previewing the Britain's Got Talent semi finals on Friday's This Morning. Talking about battling nerves on stage and connecting with a crowd, Bruno mentioned Taryn, as he remarked: "Technique doesn't make you as great performer. Technique is just a tool that allows you to perform; it's the connection. IT's people you see, like when we had....Taryn. She...there were a few...it wasn't absolutely perfect, but she sang with her body, her whole being was part of the song."

As host Alison Hammond replied: "She was one of the Golden Buzzers," Bruno justified his decision to hit the Golden Buzzer for Taryn, adding: "Of course, I had to. she gave you her life."

Just like Amanda Holden a week earlier, Bruno 'broke' BGT rules last Saturday, when viewers saw him hit the Buzzer for a second time, to send Phoenix Boys straight through to the live shows, before turning to the audience and saying: "People don’t really know how hard it is to succeed as a dancer. The work that goes into it and the passion and literally you do it for nothing; you do it for love and I felt that."