Skip to main contentSkip to footer
jordan banjo talks diversity dance© Photo: Getty Images

Diversity's Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely reveal how they've coped with controversy over BLM routine on BGT

Their dance routine on the hit ITV show received around 24,500 complaints to Ofcom

September 27, 2020
Share this:

Diversity's Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely have opened up about their extraordinary dance routine on BGT, which was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and sparked around 24,500 complaints to Ofcom.

"Initially the loudest voices seemed negative but I've seen so much positivity," says Jordan to HELLO!, who has "a lot of respect" for the fact that ITV praised the "authentic, heartfelt" performance and took out full-page newspaper advertisements in support.

MORE: Jordan Banjo engaged to girlfriend Naomi Courts - see the stunning ring

"It wasn't as if we were doing something wrong. We just wanted to get people talking about it," says Perri, who was grateful to all the big names – among them Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and BGT judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon – who came out in support.

jordan and perri argos

Jordan and Perri have unveiled the first ever Argos LEGO delivery truck

But it's not just celebrity backing that's important, says Jordan, who has received abuse and threats online since the performance.

"The other day I was in the petrol station and someone shouted out: 'Mate, don't worry about the muppets who are complaining.' It was just some random guy in a van telling me how much he loved the performance, but all those things mean as much, if not more.

READ: Britain's Got Talent issue statement over Diversity's performance

"All you can really do is go on and speak your own truth. It was a dance piece. No one went on television to be antagonistic or spark a media frenzy. There were no politics."

diversity on bgt© Photo: Rex

Diversity performing on last year's BGT final

For the full interview, pick up this week's HELLO! magazine, out now!

Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely unveiled the first ever Argos LEGO delivery truck to celebrate the new LEGO Super Mario range, available at Argos.

To be in with the chance of winning a bundle of LEGO Super Mario goodies worth over £300 delivered in the Argos LEGO delivery truck, enter the competition here.

Sign up to HELLO! Daily for all the latest and best celebrity coverage

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Celebrity News

See more