The latest episode of Britain’s Got Talent has sparked controversy after viewers noticed that not a single female auditionee appeared on the show, which aired on International Women’s Day. 

The ITV talent competition returned this month with a familiar panel featuring Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli. 

dditionally, YouTube sensation KSI briefly stepped in for Bruno during the Blackpool auditions.

Despite an exciting range of performances, including daring stunts, 

mind-blowing magic, and an 11-year-old guitar prodigy, the absence of female contestants became the focal point of criticism. 

Audiences quickly took to social media to express their disappointment. 

One user, superTV247, pointed out, “This week’s episode of Britain’s Got Talent just ended… and there was not a single female act. 80 minutes, and all ITV showed was man after man.”

Others joined in, with one viewer, liamandrews123, tweeting, “Actually awful that on International Women’s Day all the acts tonight so far have been men, sexist.” This lack of female representation sparked further conversation, especially in light of the show’s history.

In 2023, Sydnie Christmas made headlines as the first solo female winner of Britain’s Got Talent in the show’s 17-year history. Prior to Sydnie’s victory, no woman had won the competition on her own, apart from those performing with groups or alongside animals. The lack of solo female winners had long been a topic of discussion among fans and critics alike.

Sydnie’s achievement marked a historic moment for the show, especially since previous female winners had been part of ensembles or involved in acts that included animals, such as dogs. Her success was celebrated not only for her vocal talent but also for breaking a longstanding gender barrier in the competition’s history. As the first solo woman to win BGT in more than a decade, Sydnie’s victory highlighted the importance of female representation on the show, making this latest episode’s lack of women even more glaring.

This isn’t the first time an ITV competition has come under fire for failing to showcase adequate female talent. Dancing On Ice has faced similar scrutiny, with critics noting that no woman has won the competition since 2013. Back then, gymnast Beth Tweddle and her partner Daniel Whiston took home the trophy. Since then, all the champions have been male or paired with female partners, sparking ongoing debate about the visibility of female winners in ITV’s reality talent shows.

Meanwhile, this week’s BGT episode featured performances from a variety of male acts, including French comedian David Burlet, opera singer John Pierce, magician TK, and “professional egg walker” Lan Guangping. Also featured were Troupe Abyssinia, a group of hoop divers, and Kranthi Drillman, an Indian performer who wowed the audience by smashing coconuts with his bare hands before using a sledgehammer to smash watermelons around Simon Cowell’s head.

Among the male-dominated lineup, young schoolboy Olly Pearson impressed the judges with his guitar skills, earning a Golden Buzzer for his talent. The LED show by The Blackouts also stood out, earning them a Golden Buzzer as well.

Despite the predominantly male acts, the episode did feature a few women earlier in the series. Stacey Leadbetter, 31, had an emotional performance of Snow Patrol’s “Run,” which earned her a Golden Buzzer from boxing champion KSI. Additionally, young dancer Binita Chetry and singing duo Han & Fran, both of whom are female, have been highlighted in earlier episodes. Still, the absence of women in this specific episode of BGT on International Women’s Day drew attention to the ongoing issue of gender representation in the entertainment industry.

The debate over gender equality in reality TV shows like Britain’s Got Talent continues to highlight the need for better representation of women in the spotlight. While BGT showcases a wide range of talent, viewers are calling for a more balanced portrayal of female contestants, especially as the show airs on a day dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements worldwide.

ITV has yet to comment on the backlash, but the conversation around BGT and its handling of gender representation is likely to continue as the series progresses. With both the public and critics keeping a close eye on the show, it remains to be seen how ITV will address the growing demand for more female representation on the stage.

Britain’s Got Talent airs every Saturday on ITV1 and ITVX, with fans hoping that future episodes will provide a more balanced showcase of talent from all genders.

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