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Diversity shouldn't have won says Piers Morgan
Alistair Foster, London LiteUpdated 16:28pm on 3 Jun 2009
He's never one to mince his words, but Britain's Got Talent judge Piers Morgan was particularly damning as he let loose at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Getting to grips: just for a second, we thought Katy Perry was going to strangle Piers Morgan last night
He reckons winners Diversity were "just very lucky" and thinks their rival dance troupe, Flawless, should have taken the title.
Piers, who got to grips with Katy Perry on the red carpet, said: "I watched the reruns [of the show] and I stand by it. I think Flawless were unlucky to have gone on first. If they had gone last it may have been different. They're both amazing dance groups. Diversity were just very lucky."
The show attracted much criticism for the pressure it heaped on its young contestants, but (somewhat unsurprisingly) that argument held no water with the straight-talking judge.
He blasted: "I thought that was a ridiculous argument with the kids. I've got three kids and they have all been in school productions, and other kids cry or refuse to come out. They get nervous, but, you know, kids cry."
Hmmm - we see your point Piers, but when was the last time you went to a school play that had an audience of nearly 20 million?
His fellow judge Amanda Holden is currently in the US, where she's desperate to crack the Tv market over there - something Piers has already done as a judge on America's Got Talent.
He joked: "Amanda's creeping into my patch in America so I'm a bit concerned about this. I'm not happy at all. They will love her over there."
Reader views (13)
You should take a walk down the London Southbank one weekend and see the brilliant breakdancers perform there and the crowd that they draw to realise that this dance act was not been left behind in the 1980's. Breakdancing is just as legitimate form of dancing as any other genre involving skill, precision, talent and strength. I say well done diversity.
- Victoria, London, 04/06/2009 13:56
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Keith Price what a stupid, ill-informed and dangerous comment! Diversity are just that - culturally diverse! I find it beyond belief that you could attempt to use that argument for Shaheen's failure to win when Diversity were the winners! Its people like you who stokes the fires and breed hatred. We have X Factor for singers in a couple of years he will probably win that - I for one am extremely glad a singer didn't win BGT, be that Shaheen, Susan Boyle or 2 Grand!
- Mandy, London, 04/06/2009 13:52
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Diversity Won. They deserved to win.
Yes, break dancing was big in the 80's. So were Duran Duran, Yazoo and Spandau Ballet. Its not frowned upon that these acts have come back, so why can't breakdancing?
Surely we should be happy that a group of young men who work hard at something they love should win this competition? Whether its your taste or not.
Personally if i had children or teenagers, I would prefer that they looked up to young people like this, rather than some of the riff raff we see everyday in the papers.
I wish both Diversity and Flawless the best of luck and hope both groups can help teach the young people of today to have ambition and believe in themselves.
- Lisa, London, 04/06/2009 11:45
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Agree with John Bowles - Diversity (what a trite name) were doing something that went out years ago, nothing new or original there at all. But then, it's no more than a shallow popularity contest, the same as all other shows of that ilk
- Hb, rochford, essex, 04/06/2009 09:12
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I must say, in all frankness that I have to agree with Mr Morgan. I watched Diversity perform, and while they were well coordinated, and have obviously practiced long and hard at their routine, all I saw was Break Dancing which went out of style here in the United States in the early 1980's.
You could see this kind of Ghetto activity in New York or San Francisco on the sidewalks, just like any street buskers. The fact that Diversity were voted the #1 Talent, makes me wonder where the good taste that the English public are supposed to have has gone. I will not comment on the Wee Scots Lassie. That was a disaster waiting to happen.
- John Bowles(Ex Pat Englishman), White Plains, New York,USA., 04/06/2009 04:35
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Thought he said Susan Boyle was the best act and should win. I'm getting a might bit confused listening to what Piers says. Just my opinion.
- Teresab, Virginia, USA, 04/06/2009 04:10
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Keith Price, read your own comment again and think about it again !. Diversity won because they got the majority of votes from the general public on the night. This is nothing to do with racism whatsoever. Diversity are a mix of probably quite a few different countries and cultures (in their background) and they won, end of. Shaheem was very good and will be back in the future and most likely win some major talent contest in the future. It is nothing to do with racism, It is just idiots like you who suggest it is and that is what causes trouble. I voted for Diversity because they were fantastic
- Sue, Torquay Devon, 04/06/2009 00:50
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Keith Price.
What a moronic comment, one which has nothing to do with the article.
Shaheen didn't loose because of racism. He got through to the final meaning people were voting for him throughout, regardless of the colour of his skin. I really hope the young chap does not read your silly statement, as it's the kind of thing that wouldl damage a child's mind. Oh and in case it passed you by, the guy that came 3rd was clearly not white. And I think you'll find the winners were black/ mixed race, bar one (?) of the troupe.
You silly man.
- Anon, London, 03/06/2009 23:13
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For goodness sake Keith. I do believe a dance group with all different races, colours and creeds won called Diversity. The name coming from precisely that. Hardly racism. Grow up!!
- Karenf, London, 03/06/2009 22:56
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Shaheen was by far the best act on BGT but racism in Britain is still alive and strong despite all our efforts
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 03/06/2009 16:17
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God, he's such a berk
- Jonathan Anthony, Haslemere, 03/06/2009 16:12
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Who cares???
- Goggs, London, 03/06/2009 15:58
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I don't think Diversity should've won either. Those moves were hardly unique, me thinks they've been watching "So You Think You Can Dance" 'm sure I've seen their moves on that program last year.
- Lorraine, London, 03/06/2009 13:52
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