Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions’ ‘insulting’ pay revealed

Matisse and his trainer Jules O'Dwyer shot to victory in the 2015 series but it soon emerged everything wasn't as it seemed.Shortly before the final it was revealed Matisse was swapped for another dog that looked almost identical partway through the act for a spectacular tightrope stunt.The scandal was even investigated by Ofcom, with a representative saying at the time: "ITV broke rules by misleading viewers during the series finale."However, they confirmed that show bosses didn't intend to deceive viewers.

Police were called back in 2011 when an anonymous blogger started rumours about 12-year-old singing contestant Ronan Parke.It was claimed he had been groomed for stardom for two years before his appearance on Britain's Got Talent by Simon Cowell and that he already had a management deal, something both Simon and Ronan denied.The blogger was cautioned by police and Ronan made it to the final but lost out to fellow singer Jai McDowall.

Showbiz legend Bruce Forsyth hit out at Britain's Got Talent, saying he thought it was too harrowing for young children to be put under such pressure during the live shows of the competition.He suggested there should be a separate series for younger contestants as it was too much of an "ordeal" for them, prompting Simon Cowell to brand Bruce "Mr Grumpy".However, Bruce later wrote in the Daily Mail: "But I really do think he should stop putting young children under the immense and possibly damaging pressure of performing on national television, not just in front of a live audience, but also before four very sharp judges."You can see that many of the adult performers find the experience traumatic, so what sort of emotional damage could it be doing to children who, for the most part, are only there because of the ambition of their parents and teachers?"

Who could forget the twinkle-toed salsa-dancing granny Paddy and her younger dance partner Nico?They impressed the judging panel with their slick moves when they appeared on the show in 2014.But it soon emerged the pair had already competed in a major television talent show abroad and had won Spanish contest Tu Si Que Vales, which is very similar to Britain's Got Talent.But, undeterred, the pair remained in the competition and made it to the final, finishing in ninth place.

In series seven, singer Alice Fredenham took to the stage but was left crippled by a horrific bout of nerves.But the warbler managed to suddenly pull herself together at the last minute as she was given a last chance by the judges.The public was left annoyed when, just a week later, she appeared on The Voice with not a hint of stage-fright to be seen.