Bruno Tonioli delivers scathing 3-word statement after Britain’s Got Talent Ofcom complaints

Britain’s Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli has responded to ITV viewers who lodged Ofcom complaints over certain acts from this year’s show.

Tonioli is among the judging panel set to whittle down the acts in tonight’s semi-final and, as with most years on the show, the acts have drawn a strong reaction from ITV viewers – with semi-finalist Auzzy Blood even receiving 700 Ofcom complaints. 

Blood – whose real name is Austin Punton – and his horror-themed act garnered quite the reaction from viewers during his audition.

The American contestant, who describes himself as a ‘walking freak show’, inserted several metallic objects into his face, among other stunts, during his live tryout.

Akira Ohashi, who ditched all his clothes for his first routine, also received 90 Ofcom complaints during the same episode.

Yet Tonioli has now recommended that viewers who complained about the acts on the show should ‘read a book’.

Toniolo told The Mirror: ‘I don’t focus on the negative. Social media? Forget it. Life is too short. Read a book!’

Toniolo has previously defended Auzzy Blood, telling the Metro and other press outlets: ‘It’s presentation, to me – it was a bit like the Hammer House Of Horror feel, these movies that had this kind of wonderful, gothic feel to them.

‘These acts are huge in Vegas. It does make you squeal, but I don’t think it’s offensive. There is a lot of skill in what he does, and the way it’s presented is quite fascinating.’

Bruno continued: ‘What is incredible, and what I like about the show is he’s exciting. We didn’t know what was going to happen, and it’s open to all parts of what we call variety.

‘There is historical precedence to it. It’s not [just] shock value. It is something that is out there and it has been around within this canon of variety for hundreds of years.’

Britain’s Got Talent continues on ITV on Saturday, at 7pm.

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