The reality is, we love BGT!

IN the wake of last week’s emotional rollercoaster of semi-finals and the final of “Britain’s Got Talent”, reporter DAWN ECKERSLEY asked Oldhamers whether reality TV has gone too far or if the British public are hungry for more.

AFTER weeks of auditions, semi finals, anticipation and drama, the third series of ITV show “Britain’s Got Talent” ended with a bang.

Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle — dubbed the Hairy Angel — was the hot favourite to win from the moment she stunned the nation with her rendition of the Les Miserables hit “I Dreamed A Dream”.

But she lost out to Essex dance troupe Diversity in Saturday’s final and what followed were reports of Susan’s increasingly erratic behaviour.

Further upset came when 10-year-old Hollie Steel broke down in tears in Friday’s semi-final after forgetting her words, prompting viewers to demand a minimum age for entry into the competition.

Lindsay Pateman (34) from Shaw said: “There is too much pressure on some of the contestants and I think some of them are too young to handle it — that is when it goes beyond entertainment. I would like to see a minimum age limit put into place. Susan Boyle has mental health issues and I don’t think she had the correct support to help her cope with her sudden rise to stardom. That said, I love ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and it wouldn’t stop me watching it in future.”

Trish Harrison (64) from Royton said: “Susan Boyle was under huge pressure from the start, the public loved her one minute then turned on her the next.

“She was booed in the final and it’s not fair. She had lots to deal with. I love reality TV but I think most of the shows are staged and can be a bit of a freak show. They can also encourage a bullying culture and make a laughing stock out of people. There have always been talent shows on TV but with today’s 24-hour media things are exaggerated.”

Mary Smith (59), from Higginshaw, said: “I am a huge reality TV fan and I don’t think it’s gone too far.

The sudden fame can be a big shock for people but they choose to enter. I wouldn’t want to see a minimum age limit because every child is different and some of them obviously enjoy doing it. Some adults don’t handle it very well. I think people will always watch talent shows and there will always be an audience for reality TV.”

Anthony Spelman (66), from Failsworth, also loves the show but added: “I think they let some rubbish acts get through. Thousands turn up for the audition convinced they are good and it gives Britain a bad name. If children have got the talent and they want to do it I think they should be allowed to take part. Susan Boyle was built up to win so when she didn’t it must have been a shock for her.”

Stuart Vickers (62), of Westhulme said: “It’s not the kind of programme I would normally watch but I can see how much pressure the acts are under. I think it’s up to the individual child if they want to enter or not, it should be their decision. Most of them clearly love being on TV. I thought Susan Boyle was average but she was unfairly built up to win and it must have affected her. Audiences can get really carried away over things like this.”

Ann Greenwood (62) from Higginshaw enjoys watching the no-hopers. She said: “They make me laugh. Some children can cope with the pressure while others can’t so I don’t think a blanket restriction is the answer. Susan Boyle was thrown into an alien environment and I think she handled it quite well. Reports of her behaviour were probably exaggerated.”