It wouldn’t be Britain’s Got Talent without at least one cheating or fix scandal.
But the comments people are making about Beau Dermott, a 12-year-old girl with an incredible voice, are both cruel and ridiculous.
Her BGT story began in last week’s episode, when we watched as she wowed audiences with her rendition of Wicked’s Defying Gravity.
Her impressive vocals left many viewers at home in awe (and myself in tears).
And it wasn’t long before Amanda Holden was reaching for the golden buzzer, securing the little girl a place in the live semi-finals.
We were all very excited to think that Beau could have a shot at performing in front of Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Show later this year.
But then The Daily Star ‘exposed’ the little girl for receiving vocal coaching from the StagePro Academy in Warrington for the past four years.
They also revealed that the youngster has won several talent shows in the past, causing many people to accuse Beau of being a cheat for not revealing her back story on the show.
Some viewers even slammed the child for ‘pretending’ to be nervous as she stood on a stage in front of hundreds of people and TV cameras.
Seriously?
Regardless as to whether or not she has sung on stage and in competitions before, the schoolgirl had to go out on stage and sing on national television in front of MILLIONS of viewers.
That would be an incredibly big deal for anyone, trained or otherwise, let alone a child; no wonder Beau was nervous.
It’s also ridiculous to accuse someone of ‘cheating’ because they have had training in their talent.
Firstly, nowhere in the Britain’s Got Talent rules does it state that a person cannot have had coaching before attending auditions - hell, if they did, none of the animals would ever be allowed to appear on stage.
Secondly, the show is about TALENT - not how a person came about that talent. Think of all the impressionists, dancers, and martial arts experts who have appeared on the show; almost all of them were professionally trained, or had, at least, some experience of performing.
If someone studied hard and revised for an exam, would you accuse THEM of being a cheat?
Didn't think so.
Beau isn't a cheat; she is a talented young girl with buckets of determination.
After all, it may be special to have a gift, but it takes a VERY special person to recognise that they need to work hard to make the most of it.
Yes, Beau has attended singing lessons - she's gone to StagePro once a month, for four years.
She has given up her free time to do this, and she has employed the techniques she has been taught at home, practising at her latent whenever she can.
And she has come out the other side of it as a true star.
Now Beau has been given the chance to perform in front of the nation, in a bid to win a spot in the Royal Variety Performance.
I would say that it is a just reward for all that she has worked for, wouldn’t you?
Do you agree?
Let us know via Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) now.