Britain's Got Talent the backlash: As Susan Boyle suffers 'breakdown', Ofcom pledges probe after flood of complaints

 

By Paul Revoir and Richard Simpson

Last updated at 7:18 AM on 02nd June 2009

 

 

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TV watchdogs are set to investigate the treatment of Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent after a flood of complaints from viewers.

The 48-year-old singer, who has learning difficulties, was last night being treated at a private clinic after suffering an emotional breakdown in the aftermath of the show.

Nineteen million viewers watched the beginning of Miss Boyle's meltdown on Saturday night as she was beaten to first place by dance group Diversity.

Exit the Teary Angel with a bouquet of broken dreams: Susan Boyle returns to her hotel after losing to Diversity in the Britain's Got Talent final

 

 

 

 

Within 24 hours, police officers and TV producers had forcibly escorted her to The Priory clinic in North London.

 

Media regulator Ofcom is considering an investigation into whether ITV has breached the broadcasting code after viewers flooded phone lines with a 'large number of complaints'.

Section eight of the code states: 'People in a state of distress should not be put under pressure to take part in a programme or provide interviews, unless it is warranted.'

Radio phone-ins and internet chatrooms have been buzzing with claims that Miss Boyle should never have been allowed to compete in the final after a week of disturbing behaviour in the lead-up to the show.

 

Runner-up: But Morgan says coming second was the best result for the 'under pressure' singer

 

 

Moment in the spotlight: The judges watch Susan perform I Dreamed A Dream

 

Last night The Priory group's chief medical officer took the unusual step of speaking out to criticise TV production companies responsible for making stars of ill-prepared individuals.

 

Judging: Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell

 

Professor Chris Thompson said: 'I would want to know that people being exposed to such pressures are actually looked after.

'I think I know what TV companies would say - they would say "these people are willing volunteers..."

'The fact that there is consent between the TV company and contestant does not prevent the TV company having a duty of care once that consent has been given.'

 

Britain's Got Talent producer Talkback Thames last night admitted that contestants are not psychologically tested. It has now said it will review this policy.

A spokesman said: 'Compared to something like Big Brother, where you are looking at people going into a house for three months, the people on Britain's Got Talent have three or four performances maximum and spend only seven to ten days in a hotel for the semi-finals and finals.

'It is a very different scenario. But because of the level of media attention and the speed with which it became a global phenomenon, we will be reviewing all of our policies in relation to psychological treatment.'

 

Exposing her leg: Susan's strange behaviour showed she was feeling the strain

 

 

The production company said no pressure had been put on Miss Boyle to perform in the final and it had been entirely her decision.

Miss Boyle was taken to The Priory psychiatric unit in Southgate, North London, on Sunday night after breaking down at the five-star Buckingham Gate Hotel in Westminster.

She is expected to stay there until the end of the month. The bill for the £3,000-a-week treatment will be picked up by the BGT production company.

 

 

More...

 

 

• Why Prince Harry thinks Piers Morgan is a prat (Amanda Holden told him so)
  
• Next stop for Susan Boyle? A lonely hotel room and a £500-a-night tour
  
• Ab Fabia: How we fell for Britain's Got Talent's buxom burlesque dancer
  
• Fame? I want to be a scientist! Diversity's lead dancer insists his exams come first
  

 

 

Yesterday one of the show's judges, Piers Morgan, said the singer from West Lothian has been in a 'state' all week.

'I think she was exhausted mentally, physically, emotionally and she had had no proper sleep in days and hasn't been eating,' he said.

Piers Morgan said Susan was 'exhausted mentally, physically, emotionally'

 

Last night Miss Boyle's closest relatives said her fears she had let people down by not winning had triggered her breakdown.

Her brother, Gerry Boyle, told the Mail she had been taken to The Priory after suffering a panic attack at her hotel on Sunday.

Mr Boyle, 55, said: 'She started feeling extremely anxious on Sunday afternoon.

'Later that day she had what you and I would call a panic attack. She has been away from home all week and was very lonely and in all honesty very homesick.'

He added: 'Susan panicked because the show had come to an end and she did not know what the future held for her. There are no contracts on the table and she hadn't spoken to Cowell properly.'

On Sunday, friends of the singer joined her in her hotel room when they became worried about her state of mind. They called the show's producers who went to the hotel before deciding to call an ambulance. There were unconfirmed reports she also collapsed.

Medical staff spent an hour talking to Miss Boyle before deciding to take her to the Priory.

The previous night she had also reportedly run down a corridor of the TV studios shouting 'I hate this show' after she came second to Diversity in the final.

Last week, she lost her composure on two other occasions: swearing as the show was aired in the bar of the hotel where she was staying and later at two members of the public who had apparently been goading her.

Her other brother John Boyle, 59, added yesterday: ''She is a very highly strung lady and she feels like she's let people down. But it is a nonsense.

He added: 'She needs a good rest and reassurance that her future is guaranteed. Six weeks ago it was a dream and it still is a dream and it's come true.'

 

 

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A spokesman for Britain's Got Talent said the programme had provided extensive support to Miss Boyle.

He said she was surrounded by her choice of friends and family and production team representatives. As the final neared, a counsellor was brought in for added support.

Ofcom would not reveal how many complaints it had received about the Miss Boyle controversy last night.

But it is expected to release a general figure for complaints concerning the last week of Britain's Got Talent later today.

ITV was also unable to provide any viewer response figures when contacted.

Critics have long been concerned about the effect of reality television on contestants' mental health.

Most criticism has been levelled at Channel 4's Big Brother.

More than 54,000 complained about the treatment of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty after she was subjected to racist bullying from fellow contestants Danielle Lloyd, the late Jade Goody and Jo O'Meara on Celebrity Big Brother.

Gordon Brown's sympathy call

 

Gordon Brown weighed in on the Susan Boyle drama

 

Gordon Brown weighed into the controversy surrounding Susan Boyle's mental health yesterday.

The Prime Minister took time out of his busy schedule to speak to judges Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan and ask if the singer was all right.

Appearing on GMTV yesterday, he said: 'I hope Susan Boyle is OK because she is a really, really nice person and I think she will do well.

'I spoke to Simon Cowell last night and to Piers Morgan and wanted to be sure that she was OK.'

Mr Brown admitted he had watched the Britain's Got Talent final on Saturday night.

He also praised the win of Diversity saying it was 'just an amazing success for Britain and that will go right round the world'.

The Prime Minister claimed the group's win was a sign that the electorate did not want to back the 'outrageous' policies of the BNP.

He said: 'You have got Diversity coming in - a great example of diversity in our country - who have won, and people have said the greatest act in Britain's Got Talent, and at the same time you have got a party that is practising racism.

'I really don't think that is what the British public wants to see and I have got a duty to point out to people what that party stands for.'

This is not the first time that Mr Brown has been drawn into controversy surrounding a reality TV show.

In 2007 he was visiting India when the Shilpa Shetty race row exploded on Channel 4's Big Brother. He said: 'I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Anything detracting from this I condemn.'

He also criticised the BBC and Jonathan Ross over the Andrew Sachs phone messages scandal.

I hope she feels better soon.

The media should be ashamed of themselves. Having said that what a final of BGT! I thought Susan Boyle, Julian Smith, Diversity and Stavros Flatly (LOL) were magnificent. I'm glad one act out of those 4 won it. Don't think it was clever Gordon Brown bringing up the BNP when discussing Diversity. But what a group.

The media should be ashamed of themselves. Having said that what a final of BGT! I thought Susan Boyle, Julian Smith, Diversity and Stavros Flatly (LOL) were magnificent. I'm glad one act out of those 4 won it. Don't think it was clever Gordon Brown bringing up the BNP when discussing Diversity. But what a group.

 

I'm still disappointed the inimitable DJ Talent didn't make the final, though.................. :P

Who cares? they thought someone else was better and they won, also the Priory isn't in North London and why can't Piers Morgan do the world a favor and kill himself hes such an odious irritating prick.

It's all so sad....:( But I saw on TV an interview with her brother, Gerry, and he said that she DOESN'T have learning difficulties!

It's really too bad. I watched the finale with Susan on youtube today, and even I could sense something was off. She didn't seem the same as she was before.

 

What people are doing to her, though, is ridiculous. Having a nervous breakdown isn't fun. My heart really goes out to her, and **** all the people who are making looney bin jokes.

Who cares? they thought someone else was better and they won, also the Priory isn't in North London and why can't Piers Morgan do the world a favor and kill himself hes such an odious irritating prick.

 

It apPiers you're not his greatest fan!!:P

It apPiers you're not his greatest fan!!:P

 

:lol:

 

I don't like him, either. I wanted to slap him when he said what he did to Diversity.

it is sad regarding her, but best she came in second if she was so strained, imagine the pressure of winning would be on her. She`ll get sorted all for the better, learn how to cope with the fame and demands, and shoot to some comfortable level of stardom, I hope.

Looks like she boiled over!

I didnt watch Britains Got Talent but Diversity, which I saw on UTube was effin brilliant!!!!!

Looks like she boiled over!

 

I reckon that comment is likely to make some people's blood boil............... :rolleyes:

^So, they can suck it

^So, they can suck it

 

Yup. That's what it all boils down to................... :rolleyes:

Yup. That's what it all boils down to................... :rolleyes:

Yes...........................:rolleyes:

Anyway, I still reckon it would be a good idea for her to tour with Paul Potts so they can call it the Boyle 'n' Potts Tour. I'm sure it'd be a "hot" show......................... :rolleyes:

Yeah, whatever......:dozey:

 

Drop the leash, drop the leash...

Get outta my fuckin face

Drop the leash, drop the leash...

Get outta my fuckin face

Drop the leash, drop the leash...

Get outta my fuckin face

:P

Why is it so boring in the Forum mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn????

Because you're the only one in it??:P

 

Why is it so boring in the Forum mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn????

 

Drop the leash, drop the leash...

Get outta my fuckin face

Drop the leash, drop the leash...

Get outta my fuckin face

Drop the leash, drop the leash...

Get outta my fuckin face

 

What's all that about??:confused:

Because you're the only one it??:P

Exactly:\

What's all that about??:confused:

Im bored, but its a good song.;)

Post a pic in the Lounge and Ill comment on it or someting. Man, Its so crap in here

Im bored, but its a good song.;)

Post a pic in the Lounge and Ill comment on it or someting. Man, Its so crap in here

 

I have to leave in a few minutes.;)