Stunt Double's Got Talent: Row Over BGT Winner

Producers of Britain's Got Talent have apologised to the show's judges and viewers, after the winner revealed a "stunt double" dog was used during the grand final.

Jules O'Dwyer picked up £250,000 and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance with a sketch where her border collie, Matisse, appeared to walk across a tightrope.

But hours after the win, she divulged that a different border collie, Chase, had actually performed the stunt during the live performance - a fact which was not made clear to the voting public on the night.

The guide dog trainer explained that Matisse did not complete the trick because he does not have a head for heights.

Some viewers have since claimed they were misled by her act, which secured only 2% more votes than Raven, the magician who came in second place.

Ofcom has received 206 complaints regarding this part of the talent show, and the regulator is now deciding whether it has cause to investigate the programme.

Ms O'Dwyer has said she is "shocked and surprised" by the public's reaction.

"I was disappointed when people said I allegedly hid Chase and I was trying to make it like Chase was Matisse. That's not so," she added.

"I introduced Chase in the semi-final, and I said Chase is Matisse's best mate. Chase does the trick very well, Matisse prefers it lower but he's never been at that height.

"I have a choice: I have a dog that can do it at that height, or I have a dog I'd have to push in three days to achieve this.

"Why put pressure on the dog when I already have another dog who can perform it on television?"

When the results were announced on Sunday night, there was no sign of Chase – but Ms O'Dwyer and Matisse were on stage to be congratulated by Ant and Dec.

Since the talent show winner made the revelation on ITV's Lorraine programme, viewers have expressed their anger on Twitter, though some have leapt to the star's defence.

"How can BGT allow a stunt double for the dog and try to hide it, shouldn't be allowed to be the winner!" Rachel Louise wrote.

Niamh Skinner added: "I've just been informed that Matisse had a stunt double doing the tightrope walk. Absolutely fuming. I voted for that dog!"

There were also calls for Ms O'Dwyer to relinquish her prize and hand it to the runner-up.

Other fans dismissed the furore as a storm in a teacup, with Mike Ward tweeting: "So she trained more than one dog to be brilliant? Seriously, what's the problem?!"

In a statement, a Britain's Got Talent spokesman said: "During the competition, viewers have seen that Jules' act involves a team of dogs - including Chase and Skippy, alongside starring dog Matisse, to perform her unique mixture of dog ability and storytelling.

"We are sorry if this was not made clearer to the judges and viewers at home during their final performance."