ALESHA Dixon is prepared to quit Britain’s Got Talent if ITV apologises for Diversity’s controversial Black Lives Matter routine on the show, according to reports.
More than 15,500 people have complained to broadcast regulator Ofcom since the dance troupe performed on last Saturday’s BGT.
The powerful performance split opinion with its references to BLM protests, rioting and the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.
Alesha, 41, came out in defence of Ashley and his dance group this week, telling haters to “kiss my black a**”.
Now a source has told the Mail: “Alesha is absolutely furious and doesn’t think anyone should be apologising for anything.
“Ashley is in a complete state over all of this and it has knocked his confidence. Alesha has spent the week supporting him and building him back up.
“She is very sad about it all but staunchly stands by the dance. It is something she feels incredibly passionate about so if ITV were to say sorry, it would be understandably hard for her to continue.”
HOAR has contacted a representative for Alesha for comment.
Last night Ashley defiantly strode onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage to Elton John’s I’m Still Standing.
He looked confident and raring to go as he walked out in a black and white T-shirt under a suit.
Prior to taking to the stage, hosts Ant and Dec called him “the greatest dancer” in the show’s history and said he was their favourite thing about the semi-finals.
No reference was made to last weekend’s routine which was heavily-inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and police brutality in the United States.
Some criticised it for politicising the prime time entertainment show while others said the message it conveyed needed to be shared.
It also featured backing dancers performing in riot gear, and the group took the knee during the performance.
It is now the second most complained about TV moment in a decade.
The first is Roxanne Pallett’s Celebrity Big Brother ‘punchgate’ drama with former Corrie star Ryan Thomas with 25,327 complaints.
Ashley revealed earlier this week that he had received a barrage of abuse over the performance.
But the show’s stand-in judge thanked his critics for proving that it was a necessary performance.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote: “So much to say… But I’ll Just let the performance talk. Thousands of messages of Love and support – Thank you.
“For the thousands of messages of hate and ignorance – Thank you. You highlight exactly what needs to change. Sending nothing but love to you all.”
