Britain's Got Talent series 2
Template:Infobox reality talent competition The second series of Britain's Got Talent was broadcast from 12 April 2008 and ended on 31 May 2008. Notable differences from the first series included the fact that auditions were held for the first time in Scotland and that there were 40 acts in the live semi-finals, compared to 24 the previous year. This series also ran for longer, this time airing seven weeks instead of one. Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan returned as judges. Ant & Dec returned as hosts with Stephen Mulhern coming back to present Britain's Got More Talent on ITV2. Auditions took place in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Blackpool. It was the first time that auditions were held in Glasgow and Blackpool.
The series was won by street dancer George Sampson, with dance duo Signature coming in second and singer Andrew Johnston in third.
Judges
It was announced that Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan would return as judges for the second series of Britain's Got Talent.
Semi-finalists
On 24 May 2008, the judges announced the 40 acts that have made it through to the live semi-finals.[1] A total of 10 acts made the grand final on 31 May 2008.
fThe winner was George Sampson, who was invited to perform an encore of his 'Singin' in the Rain' routine.
| Key | Winner | Runner-up | Third place | Finalist | Semi-finalist (lost judges' vote) |
|---|
| Name / Name of act | Age(s) | Genre | Act | From | Semi | Position Reached |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Johnston | 13 | Singing | Boy soprano | Carlisle | 2 | 3rd Place |
| Andrew Muir | 24 | Singing | Pop | Fauldhouse, West Lothian | 4 | Finalist |
| Anya Sparks | 42 | Dancing | Solo Dance | London | 5 | Semi-finalist |
| Bang On | 34/27 | Music | Percussionists | Hounslow | 2 | Semi-finalist |
| Boogie Babes | 8–12 | Dancing | 19-strong troupe | Appleby | 4 | Semi-finalist |
| Boogie Wonderland | 12–21 | Dancing | 16-strong troupe | Liverpool | 1 | Semi-finalist |
| Caburlesque | 22-26 | Dancing | Cabaret/Burlesque | London | 5 | Semi-finalist |
| Charlie Green | 10 | Singing | Swing music | Worcestershire | 3 | Semi-finalist |
| Charlie Wernham | 13 | Comedy | Stand-up comedy | Essex | 4 | Semi-finalist |
| Cheeky Monkeys | 8/9 | Dancing | Junior Couples Dance | Burnley | 2 | Finalist |
| Craig Harper | 35 | Singing / Comedy | Pop / Impressionist | Hull | 5 | Semi-finalist |
| Dean Wilson | 18 | Singing | Musical Theatre | Middlesbrough | 1 | Semi-finalist |
| Deans of Magic | 46/38 | Magic | Erotic magic | Daventry | 3 | Semi-finalist |
| Diva Las Vegas | 20-48 | Dancing | 7-strong cabaret act | Runcorn | 5 | Semi-finalist |
| Escala (originally Scala.) | 23–26 | Music | String quartet | London | 5 | Finalist |
| Faryl Smith | 12 | Singing | Classical | Kettering | 4 | Finalist |
| Flava | 17–28 | Dancing | Hip-hop Dance | Cornwall | 2 | Semi-finalist |
| George Sampson | 14 | Dancing | Breakdancing | Warrington | 3 | Winner[2] |
| Harlequin Stage School | 8–13 | Dancing | 22-strong troupe | Worcester | 4 | Semi-finalist |
| Hoop La La | 22/23/24 | Dancing | Hula hoops | Inverness | 3 | Semi-finalist |
| Iona Luvsandorj (Mostly credited as just Iona) | 27 | Contortionist | Solo Contortionist | London | 2 | Semi-finalist |
| Irresistible | 23/21/23 | Singing / Dancing | Pop | Tyne & Wear | 3 | Semi-finalist |
| James Stone | 52 | Singing | Pop | Rhyl | 4 | Semi-finalist |
| Jeremy Lynch | 20 | Acrobatics | Football skills | Essex | 4 | Semi-finalist |
| Kate And Gin | 16/6 | Dancing/Animals | Musical canine freestyle | Norbury, Cheshire | 1 | Finalist |
| Kay And Harvey | 56/71 | Singing | Opera | Bristol | 2 | Semi-finalist |
| Madonna Decena | 32 | Singing | Pop | Manchester | 5 | Semi-finalist |
| Mandy Ellen Dancers | 10–24 | Dancing | 39-strong troupe | Maidstone | 2 | Semi-finalist |
| Mary Halford March | 6–9 | Dancing | 24-strong troupe | Liverpool | 3 | Semi-finalist |
| Michael Machell | 57 | Music | Electric Keyboardist | Hastings | 1 | Semi-finalist |
| Nemesis | 18–22 | Dancing | 5-strong troupe | Milton Keynes | 5 | Finalist |
| Per Diem | 24/23 | Music | Guitar and voice | Liverpool | 5 | Semi-finalist |
| Phil Blackmore | 34 | Juggling | Balancing Act | Kingston-upon-Thames | 1 | Semi-finalist |
| Sauris Nandi | 64 | Magic | Deception & Illusion | London | 2 | Semi-finalist |
| Signature | 29/34 | Dancing | Michael Jackson / Bhangra | London | 1 | 2nd Place |
| Sophie Mei | 20 | Dancing | Belly-dancing | Sheffield | 1 | Semi-finalist |
| Strike | 22/19 | Dancing | Martial arts demo | Sheffield | 3 | Finalist |
| Tracy Lee Collins | 44 | Singing | Drag act | Leicester | 1 | Semi-finalist |
| Urban Gypsies | 35–50 | Dancing | 7-strong belly-dancing troupe | Blackpool | 3 | Semi-finalist |
| Vizage | 34/30 | Magic/Singing | Quick change artists and singers | Hull | 4 | Semi-finalist |
Semi-final summary
The "Order" columns lists the order of appearance each act made for every episode.
| Key |  Buzz
|
 Judges' choice
|
Won the public vote
|
Won the judges' vote
|
Lost the judges' vote
|
|---|
Semi-final 1 (26 May)
| Order | Result | Artist | Act | Buzzes and judges' choices | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowell | Holden | Morgan | ||||
| 1 | Eliminated | Boogie Wonderland | 16-strong dance group | |||
| 2 | Top 3 (won judges' vote) | Kate and Gin | Musical canine freestyle |
|
|
|
| 3 | Eliminated | Michael Machell | Electric Keyboardist |
|
||
| 4 | Top 3 (lost judges' vote) | Dean Wilson | Musical theatre performer |
| ||
| 5 | Eliminated | Sophie Mei | Belly-dancing | |||
| 6 | Eliminated | Tracey Lee Collins | Singer |
|
||
| 7 | Eliminated | Phil Blackmore1 | Balancing/alternative juggling |
|
| |
| 8 | 1st (won public vote) | Signature | Michael Jackson/Bhangra dance act | |||
Semi-final 2 (27 May)
| Order | Result | Artist | Act | Buzzes and judges' choices | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowell | Holden | Morgan | ||||
| 1 | Eliminated | Mandy Ellen Dancers | 39-strong dance group | |||
| 2 | Eliminated | Iona Luvsandorj | Contortionist | |||
| 3 | Top 3 (won judges' vote) | Cheeky Monkeys | Junior dance couples |
|
|
|
| 4 | Eliminated | Kay and Harvey | Opera and electronic keyboard |
|
||
| 5 | Eliminated | Bang On! | Urban percussionists |
|
| |
| 6 | Top 3 (lost judges' vote) | Flava | Hip-hop dance group |
| ||
| 7 | Eliminated | Sauris Nandi | Deceptional and illusionary magic |
|
||
| 8 | 1st (won public vote) | Andrew Johnston | Boy soprano | |||
Semi-final 3 (28 May)
| Order | Result | Artist | Act | Buzzes and judges' choices | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowell | Holden | Morgan | ||||
| 1 | Eliminated | Irresistible | Pop group | |||
| 2 | Top 3 (won judges' vote) | Strike | Martial arts demo |
|
| |
| 3 | Eliminated | Mary Halford March | 24-strong dance group |
|
| |
| 4 | Eliminated | The Deans of Magic | 'Erotic' magic |
|
|
|
| 5 | Top 3 (lost judges' vote) | Charlie Green | Singer |
|
||
| 6 | Eliminated | Urban Gypsies | 7-strong belly-dancing group |
| ||
| 7 | Eliminated | Hoop La La | Hula hoop entertainment | |||
| 8 | 1st (won public vote) | George Sampson | Breakdancing | |||
Semi-final 4 (29 May)
| Order | Result | Artist | Act | Buzzes and judges' choices | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowell | Holden | Morgan | ||||
| 1 | Eliminated | James Stone | Pop singer | |||
| 2 | Eliminated | Charlie Wernham | Stand-up comedian | |||
| 3 | Eliminated | Harlequin Stage School | 22-strong dance group | |||
| 4 | Top 3 (won judges' vote) | Andrew Muir | Pop singer |
|
|
|
| 5 | Eliminated | The Boogie Babes | 19-strong dance group | |||
| 6 | Eliminated | Vizage1 | Quick-change |
|
|
|
| 7 | Top 3 (won judges' vote) | Jeremy Lynch | Football player |
|
| |
| 8 | 1st (won public vote) | Faryl Smith | Classical singer | |||
- ^1 Amanda Holden stated after the act that Simon Cowell pressed her buzzer.
Semi-final 5 (30 May)
| Order | Result | Artist | Act | Buzzes and judges' choices | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowell | Holden | Morgan | ||||
| 1 | Eliminated | Caburlesque | Cabaret/Burlesque | |||
| 2 | Eliminated | Madonna Decena | Pop singer | |||
| 3 | Eliminated | Anya Sparks | Dancer | |||
| 4 | Top 3 (lost judges' vote) | Craig Harper | Pop/impressionist |
|
||
| 5 | Eliminated | Diva Las Vegas | 7-strong cabaret act |
| ||
| 6 | Top 3 (won judges' vote) | Nemesis | 5-strong troupe |
|
| |
| 7 | Eliminated | Per Diem | Guitar and vocals |
|
|
|
| 8 | 1st (won public vote) | Escala | Electric string quartet | |||
Final
| Key | Winner
|
Runner-up
|
Third Place
|
|---|
| Order[3] | Finished | Artist | Act |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finalist | Cheeky Monkeys | Dance to "We Go Together" from Grease |
| 2 | Finalist | Andrew Muir | Performance of "Imagine" |
| 3 | Finalist | Kate and Gin | Canine freestyle to James Bond Theme |
| 4 | Finalist | Nemesis | Dance to "Pump It" by The Black Eyed Peas |
| 5 | Finalist | Strike | Martial arts routine to "I Like the Way (You Move)" |
| 6 | 3rd | Andrew Johnston | Performance of Pie Jesu |
| 7 | 1st | George Sampson | Breakdancing (Singin' in the Rain) |
| 8 | Finalist | Faryl Smith | Performance of Ave Maria |
| 9 | Finalist | Escala | Performance of Palladio |
| 10 | 2nd | Signature | Billie Jean bhangra |
Ratings
| Show | Date | Official ITV1 rating (millions)[4] |
Weekly rank[4] | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auditions 1 | 12 April | 9.44 | 6 | 37.0%[5] |
| Auditions 2 | 19 April | 10.96 | 1 | 43.3%[6] |
| Auditions 3 | 26 April | 9.86 | 3 | 41.3%[7] |
| Auditions 4 | 3 May | 9.12 | 5 | 39.1%[8] |
| Auditions 5 | 10 May | 8.17 | 6 | 37.9%[9] |
| Auditions 6 | 17 May | 9.11 | 2 | 37.5%[10] |
| Auditions 7 | 24 May | 8.27 | 5 | 37.2%[11] |
| Semi-final 1 | 26 May | 11.33 | 4 | 42.0%[12] |
| Semi-final 2 | 27 May | 9.29 | 9 | 35.3%[13] |
| Semi-final 3 | 28 May | 10.03 | 6 | 35.9%[14] |
| Semi-final 4 | 29 May | 10.13 | 5 | 41.9%[15] |
| Semi-final 5 | 30 May | 11.86 | 2 | 50.0%[16] |
| Live final | 31 May | 11.52 | 3 | 51.1%[17] |
| Live final results | 13.88 | 1 | 55.1%[17] | |
| Series average | 2008 | 10.21 | 4 (4.14) | 41.8% |
The second series of Britain's Got Talent was a huge ratings success, officially averaging 10.2m for the entire series.[18]
The Final Results episode was the third most watched programme of 2008, officially averaging 13.88m. The moment when George Sampson was announced winner, in front of 14.4 million viewers, was the 4th most watched moment of 2008.
This series of Britain's Got Talent had the third highest series average out of any talent show this century.
Controversy
Andrew Johnston
In an article on 18 April 2008 by British newspaper the Daily Mail, the mother of young contestant Andrew Johnston admitted that their story had been "over-egged" and the truth in the reality is, they do not live in a stereotypical council estate – like he had claimed during a previous interview for the talent show. He pulled on even more heartstrings when he claimed he was bullied but in fact, the bullying he allegedly sustained was early on in his life, and it was not a recent and regular occurrence. The show's producers were accused of misleading the viewers and enhancing a "sob story".[19]
Michael Machell
The first live show attracted considerable complaint due to the treatment of keyboardist Michael Machell, whose appearance was greeted with open mockery and hostility by the crowd and judging panel,[20] with claims that the show's producers encouraged the audience to boo and deride the performer from the beginning of his appearance. Michael was visibly upset immediately afterwards, and also later that evening in his appearance in Britain's Got More Talent on ITV2. In his first audition, he was buzzed by Simon who then pressed the buzzers of Amanda and Piers, in the semi-final he buzzed again but did not press any other buzzer.
Andrew Muir
Having made it to the final, Muir sang Imagine by John Lennon, and was heavily criticised after his performance for a bad choice of song. In both the main show, and the later ITV2 show, Muir stated that the choice of song had been made by producers, and that he had been given no choice but to accept. On both shows, the hosts were seen by viewers to swiftly change the subject or speak to other contestants rather than allow this point to be made further.[21]
Escala
"Scala" (now Escala) also attracted attention from the press as the four members of the band are professional musicians who played for McFly as part of a large orchestra on their UK tour in 2005. They are signed to an entertainment agency, and were invited to audition for Britain's Got Talent by Simon Cowell after they played at The X Factor wrap party in late 2007. An ITV1 spokesman refused claims this was unfair, stating "Scala went through the same application and audition process as everyone else. Britain's Got Talent is open to any performer be it professional or amateur, with any talent."[22] Two of the four members of Escala were part of a similar five-piece classical group called Wild, who were signed to EMI and released an album with the label in 2005.[23] The quartet were then required to change their name from Scala to Escala. According to a report published in the Daily Mirror. "Scala were forced to change their name because it belongs to a female voice choir in Belgium. The girls changed to Escala after EMI threatened to sue, despite having used it for two years."[24]
Faryl Smith
The Sunday Mirror and Digital Spy both reported that Simon Cowell arranged for free singing lessons to be delivered by X Factor vocal coach Yvie Burnett to 12-year-old vocalist Faryl Smith. Burnett previously coached 2007 Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts and 2006 The X Factor winner Leona Lewis.[25][26]
Voting
Britain's Got Talent bosses were accused of fixing the show by manipulating the viewers’ vote, by the fans. In all five semi-finals of series 2, the semi-finalist performing last won the public vote and made it through to the final. The same thing happened in the first series, with the last performer receiving the top acclaim, including in the final. Readers of the Daily Star say complaints have been flooding in, but bosses have denied all allegations. A spokeswoman for the hit TV show claimed that the pattern noticed by viewers was "nothing more than a coincidence". She also added: "The judges have no say over the running order on the show."[27][28] This pattern also continued in the first three semi-finals of series 3, but was broken by saxophanist Julian Smith, who won the public vote in semi-final 4 as act number six out of eight.
References
- ^ Top 40 Acts Archived 29 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Breakdancer wins TV talent contest". The Press Association. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
- ^ http://watchwithmothers.net/2008/06/03/britains-got-talent-live-final/
- ^ a b "Weekly Top 30 Programmes". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
- ^ Brook, Stephen (14 April 2008). "Britain's Got Talent back with 8.8m". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ Brook, Stephen (21 April 2008). "Ratings soar for Britain's Got Talent". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ Reevell, Philip (30 April 2008). "International formats bolster ITV weekend". Broadcastnow.co.uk.
- ^ Holmwood, Leigh (6 May 2008). "Talent shines but viewers head outdoors". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ Holmwood, Leigh (12 May 2008). "Talent sizzles as heat hits ratings". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ Fitzsimmons, Caitlin (19 May 2008). "FA Cup final scores a ratings victory". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ Fitzsimmons, Caitlin (27 May 2008). "TV ratings: 7.1m UK viewers tune in to Eurovision". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ Holmwood, Leigh (27 May 2008). "TV ratings: Britain's Got Talent dances off with honours". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ Rogers, Jon (28 May 2008). "ITV1 delivers masterclass to The Apprentice". Broadcastnow.co.uk.
- ^ Rogers, Jon (29 May 2008). "2.8m get the Mary Whitehouse experience". Broadcastnow.co.uk.
- ^ Rogers, Jon (30 May 2008). "Thursday peaktime blues for BBC1". Broadcastnow.co.uk.
- ^ Dowell, Ben (2 June 2008). "TV ratings: Britain's Got Talent semi-final shines for ITV". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ a b "Britain's Got Talent wins ratings war – Showbiz – News – Manchester Evening News". Manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 18 April 2010.
- ^ "Reality TV hurts too much – WalesOnline". Icwales.icnetwork.co.uk. 31 May 2008.
- ^ "Is the Britain's Got Talent choirboy REALLY a bullied kid from a sink estate?". Daily Mail. 18 April 2008.
- ^ "Well now we know.. Britain's dog talent; POLLY HUDSON ON THE FIRST BGT SEMI-FINAL". Thefreelibrary.com. 27 May 2008.
- ^ Kevan Christie (2 June 2008). "I'll be a star, says Britain's Got Talent finalist Andrew Muir". Daily Record. Scotland.
- ^ Scala Are Bunch Of Real Pros Archived 1 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Stuart Husband (16 May 2008). "Scala on Britain's Got Talent electrify Simon Cowell". Daily Mail.
- ^ Britain's Got Talent: row over Scala's name[dead link]
- ^ Simon Cowell's secret singing lessons for Britain's Got Talent's Faryl Smith Archived 4 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Young 'Talent' star gets secret coaching". Digital Spy. 11 May 2008.
- ^ PETER DYKE /Published 29 May 2008 (29 May 2008). "TV Talent Show Rigged, Say Fans". Daily Star. United Kingdom.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Britain's Got Talent embroiled in rigging scandal: Viewers accuse bosses of fixing show". Daily Mail. 30 May 2008.
