Frustrations are growing online as Britain’s Got Talent viewers have put the ITV show on blast and called out the judges for their constant shocked reactions.

The 17th series of the long-running program returned to our screens on April 20, 2024, and has already caused a stir among viewers. This weekend’s instalment, which included the likes of a flying baritone Batman, was no different but performances weren’t the only targets of criticism.

After another instalment, TV fans noticed judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and Simon Cowell have all had shocked reactions to the many auditions they’ve had to critique, prompting them to share their frustrations online, particularly on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Britain’s Got Talent fans have grown exasperated with reactions from judges, pointing out they always appear shocked, no matter the act

“Is there anything more annoying on TV than the #BGT judges with their fake open mouths in surprise at almost every act?”, one penned while another noted that the most sceptic and ruthless of all the judges has even become easier to impress: “Why do the Judges act so shocked at everything… They all seem to be over doing this acting, even Simon Cowell seems to be doing it now.”

Another exasperated watcher added: “I’m so done with these open mouthed false confused looks by the judges.” Elsewhere, another viewer continued: “I am convinced they record the judges reactions and facial expressions and insert them at appropriate moments during the acts! This ‘show’ is so contrived!”

The latest season of Britain’s Got Talent has seemingly failed to garner positive reactions from viewers, with the show’s launch sparking fury and a handful of acts have been slammed. Singer Sydnie Christmas was one of the first notable performers to come under fire after earning the first Golden Buzzer of the season.

Other acts, in the likes of wildlife imitator Geneviève Côté, on the other hand, were slammed when it was revealed that performers had already tried their luck in previous seasons of Britain’s Got Talent or in popular spin-offs of the show. However, fans weren’t the only ones to harshly criticise the new series.

Taking to her own New Magazine column, Kerry Katona has pointed out one judge who, according to her, isn’t the right fit for the program and she has advocated for another personality to return. “I do miss David Walliams as a judge, though”, she wrote.

“He brought the fun factor and I’m not sure Bruno Tonioli is right for it, if I’m honest. And I’ve got a bit of a girl crush on Amanda Holden! The fact that she’s older than me makes me think I’ve still got time to look that good”, she added. David left his judging duties in Britain’s Got Talent in 2022 after a transcript of comments he’d made about contestants during a break in filming in 2020 were made public.

In a statement, David had apologised but the damage was done: “These were private conversations and like most conversations with friends, were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry.” A petition has since been launched by fans in 2023 as they have begged for David to take back his judging seat.