BGT 2023: ITV viewers slam Simon Cowell for being ‘too tough’

The Liverpool student sang a powerful version of Firework by Katy Perry in the second semi-final tonight (30 May), dressed in a ‘cool’ purple outfit.

At Tia’s first audition, her mother Claire surprised her by pretending to act herself, but gave up the audition for her daughter.

Speaking on stage in front of the ITV jury, she said: “She’s carried me through some very difficult times in my life and I feel like I owe her a debt, so I’m giving up my audition for my daughter.”

Tia Connolly’s POWER performance set off fireworks #BGT Auditorium!: https://t.co/4dgRqL6nDp
#BGT2023 #Britain’s Got Talent pic.twitter.com/unkAH6xhlh

– BGT (@BGT) May 30, 2023

Tia explained that she usually only sings in the shower before singing Whitney Houston’s “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” and received four yes votes from Simon, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Bruno Tonioli.

Viewers react to Simon Cowell’s comments about Tia Connolly

After Tia performed live tonight, Simon was slammed on social media by viewers of the ITV talent show for his disheartening comments, saying she looks “cool” but is “better surrounded by a group”.

Taking to Twitter, one person wrote: “A little too harsh on a 15 year old #bgt”

Another said: “You actually gave better comments to the guy who farted than to the poor 15 year old girl. #BGT”

This account wrote: “‘I’m not saying give up…’ how encouraging #bgt”

This user said Simon’s feedback was “overly negative”: “Seems the feedback from this very young lady on the panel was overly negative. Why send them to the semifinals only to then knock them out? #BGT”

A similar comment said, “Simon didn’t really compliment her by saying she wasn’t the best singer.”

In response to Tia singing on the show, this person said, “Why put her through to the live shows to tell her to be in a group? #BGT”

“Simon destroys girl’s hopes and dreams live on TV #bgt #BritainsGotTalent,” one fan wrote.