DIVERSITY returned to the Britain’s Got Talent stage for the first time tonight since their controversial Black Lives Matter performance.
Back in 2020, the dance group sparked 30,000 Ofcom complaints with a routine that referenced the murder of George Floyd, police brutality and taking the knee.
The group and the show were cleared of any wrongdoing by the broadcasting regulator.
While that routine two years ago may have divided viewers at the time between those who loved it and those who felt it was ‘too political’ for the ITV show, tonight the dance troupe led by Ashley Banjo returned.
And viewers all had a similar reaction to their performance, which referenced Magic Mike as the boys ripped their tops off and danced as they got wet.
The piece was also all about ‘connection’ at a time when we are all glued to our phones, and saw the crew throwing matrix-style moves.
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At one point Ashley even brandished a light sabre.
But if anyone thought Diversity were not going to reference their last controversial performance, they were wrong.
Tonight’s routine was interspersed with a clip montage of the reports about the complaints they garnered last time around.
It showed the furore as it was reported in various newspapers and tv bulletins, before the group issued a definant, unapologetic message that they “would do it again”.
At the end of the performance, Ashley also thanked all the fans who had “stood by them” after the outcry from certain viewers.
And judging from the reaction on twitter this evening, fans were thrilled with the powerful, unapologetic comeback.
One wrote on twitter: “Blown away, incredible performance by Diversity had to watch it twice.”
A second enthused: “YES GUYS!!!!! LOVED IT”
A third echoed that, adding: “Unsurprisingly had me emotional. Serious respect for the group. Absolute role models.”
And a fourth weighed in: “Diversity f***ing smashing it as usual.”
Meanwhile a fifth said simply: “They make me proud to be British”.
Tonight’s live semi final was the third live show this week, building towards Sunday’s grand final.
Two semi finalists are put through to the final each night.
Diversity won Britain’s Got Talent back in 2009.
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Their win came as surprise to some who had expected Susan Boyle to come out on top.
The I Dreamed A Dream singer wound up coming second, but still went on to sell millions of albums worldwide.
