Britain’s Got Talent under fire as contestant gives up audition spot to daughter in show first

Britain’s Got Talent viewers were divided after a mum gave up her own audition spot for her daughter.

Kind-hearted mum Claire, who appeared on last night’s episode of the show (22 April), admitted that she had wanted daughter Tia to audition but put her own name forward as she knew Tia wouldn’t have done it.

Schoolgirl Tia absolutely smashed the audition, belting a rendition 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' by Whitney Houston.

Tia, 15, explained that the song had a poignant meaning for her as it had helped her when she was being bullied.

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The judges were blown away with Amanda Holden saying Tia has a ‘massive career’ ahead of her, while new judge Bruno Tonioli said Tia had an ‘incredible quality because you were singing from your soul’.

Even the notoriously hard-to-please Simon Cowell was blown away by Tia’s singing.

Cowell said: "That's how you do it."

He then commented on the sweet gesture from Claire, adding: "I really love moments like this, you didn't know you were going to audition, your mum set you up, I'll just sing Whitney Houston then, like it's normal.

"That's very sweet what you did for your daughter because I'm guessing without you doing that she wouldn't have auditioned. I absolutely loved this audition."

Many viewers were in firm agreement with the judges and took to social media to praise the teen.

One fan posted: “WOW! Tia has an incredible voice. A great rasp and grit in her voice which I love. Her voice has great power as well. Considering how unprepared she was originally this is a sensational audition. Well done Tia Fantastic!”

While someone else commented: “That audition of Tia is amazing and proof that a mother daughter love is the best in this world.”

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“Well I hope Tia coming onto that stage with no preparation and smashing out a Whitney Houston song sends a strong message to those bullies! She doesn’t know her own strength, but I hope she believes it now,” another fan added.

However, others thought it seemed a bit too ‘staged’, with one viewer commenting: “It’s nice but it’s so overly staged it’s obvious.”

Another said: “So a mum gives up her slot at Britains Got Talent for her daughter! What a croc of s**t! Don’t tell me that’s not staged!”

A third wrote: “Oh do me a bleedin’ favour, daughter didn’t know she was auditioning? Yeah right!”

Either way, the solid audition was enough to see Tia through to the next round.