Britain's Got Talent EXCLUSIVE - Vizage hit back
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Vizage have decided to defend themselves after Piers Morgan branded Vicki Lane arrogant for singing during their quick change act.
In our exclusive interview Vicki reveals what really happened and warns other acts to think twice about taking part in Britain's Got Talent next year.
Revelation 1: BGT begged Vizage to audition
"We have worked professionally with our singing and illusion act 'Vizage' for the last 7 years in theatres across the country."
"We were inundated with calls from the TV company asking us to do Britain's Got Talent 2008.
"I did not want to do it because I felt that I didn't trust them and was dubious of being set up to make what they call great TV. I was assured by the researchers on the show that this was a good act and that would not happen.
"The only reason why I agreed to go further with this and participate in the live audition was because I really want variety to survive and that Sam and I love performing in it. Each year there are less summer seasons that are proper variety shows at seaside resorts and more and more theatres are unfortunately closing down.
"We understood Britain's Got Talent was meant to find variety. We thought variety meant jugglers, magicians, unusual acts, something different not just singing."
Revelation 2: BGT told Vizage what to perform
"At the audition in Blackpool they asked us to do our quick change routine which we had been performing at the Spa Theatre, Scarborough.
"This is usually a 5 minute routine which we had to condense down to 2 minutes. I was not allowed a sound check, the monitors on stage were not working and I could not hear the music plus it was the first time we had performed it live within 2 minutes.
"If I was so bad why was I put through, because if you remember Piers said No because of my singing, Amanda said Yes and Simon said Yes and his decision was because I had said that it had done us fine
for the past 6 years and would not change."
Revelation 3: BGT wanted Vicki to sing in the live semi-finals
"They arranged for me to have vocal tuition weekly from the beginning of April from one of the top vocal coaches in London.
"When we reached the semi finals the team asked me to think of some ideas for other songs that still link with quick change which is what they still wanted us to do and they said they would come up with ideas too.
Revelation 4: Vicki was told which song to sing
"In the end I was told which song to sing. It does not make sense to pay for nearly two months of singing lessons from a top vocal coach and provide music if it wasn't a set up and make good TV.
"We were told often not to worry about our act but to just go do what we do because the public like 'jeopardy.' In TV terms we were not quite sure what this meant. We've now found out the hard way what 'jeoparedy' TV means!!
Revelation 5: BGT judges bully
acts
"For a programme that has made a big issue about bullying I think they should look at themselves. I feel I have been victimised as the judges told the millions of people watching the show that I through being stubborn have spoiled my husbands chances. They didn't criticise the magic but concentrated on making me look bad.
"I know that acts take a risk doing this sort of programme but I never expected to be treated in such a despicable way especially when they came to us not us to them."
Image credit: WENN and ITV
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