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THE INFAMOUS BRITAIN’S Got Talent dog-swap controversy has reached a conclusion of sorts with ITV now found to have been in breach of broadcasting rules.
The winning performance by ‘Jules O’Dwyer & Matisee’ was found to have misled viewers after a second dog, Chase, was used during a tightrope section of the act.
Viewers had not been told that numerous dogs were used in the performance with Ofcom concluding that people who voted for it were likely to have been misled.
Ofcom acknowledged that ITV did not set out to deliberately mislead views but pointed to several instances where the public could have been told a second dog was used.
Jules O’Dwyer is a long-time dog trainer and regularly uses numerous dogs in her act but, during her time on Britain’s Got Talent, her acted was billed as ’Jules O’Dwyer & Matisee’.
O’Dwyer says that Matisse is afraid of heights and that the tightrope act was performed by Chase.
Chase did not appear on stage with O’Dwyer after the performance and presenters Ant and Dec regularly refereed to her and Matisee as a “double act”.
A recorded segment ahead of the final also focused on Matisse’s role to the exclusion of other animals, Ofcom said.
“When we go on that stage tonight, we’re going to give it our all; we’re going to do our best. Let’s go get ’em, eh, boy…” O’Dwyer said during the promo.
‘Jules & Matisse’ received 22.6% of the 4.5 million votes cast and won the contest ahead of magician Raven who secured 20.4%. The won €345,000 and the chance to perform in front of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth.
ITV points out that almost 90% of the votes for Jules & Matisee were made through a free smartphone app. The rest of the votes were made each a cost of 50p each.
ITV has attempted to refund views who voted for ‘Jules & Matisse’ but has not offer to overturn the result.
Ofcom’s decision will not lead to any further sanction.
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Fu@k me. She trained a dog to walk a tight rope. I can’t even pee into the bowl after three cans. She’s awesome
She trained a dog to walk on a tightrope ffs. And she used 3 dogs in other performances. Whoever complained about this needs to get a life.
Exactly!!! Some people really need to go find a problem FFS!!
I thought the act was brilliant!!!
And i suppose the studio didn’t notice there was more than 1 dog. ah sure we have to blame someond.
Who cares. It’s beyond stupid that a dog won the competition anyways.
beyond stupid is the programme’s target demographic.
When exactly do you cross the line of stupidity that makes you beyond stupid?
Just curious…
Putting your phone in a blender is stupid. Putting your hand in a blender is beyond stupid.
Seth, but yet you clicked on the article. That must make you beyond beyond stupid.
Never watch this show or the American one. It’s not the acts that’s the problem it’s the Judge’s
These are indeed the real issues!
It’s gone right to the top alright… And the achievements and accomplishments of the human race have gone right to the bottom of far below anything we could have ever expected.
I think it was the right decision though , it was very misleading .
Shut up Suzie
Mark , cop on
A bit harsh !!
It’s a good thing news outlets such as the Journal exist. I would never have been made aware of this outragesly stupid piece of bullshit had it not been for the Journal. At least now we’ve resolved this issue. Now, did I hear something about a wannabe pop star being judged by a panel of eejits on the television while throwing away any sort of musical integrity they may have had just to make a quick buck? News is totes amazeballs dese days.
First world problems here
have your say