Simon Cowell's 'odd power' as BGT act recalls head judge's 'weird decision'
A Britain’s Got Talent star has revealed Simon Cowell’s ‘odd’ power behind-the-scenes after discussing the head judge’s ‘weird decision’ to buzz him in the Semi Finals.
Comedian Markus Birdman skyrocketed to fame in May with his audition on the ITV talent series, after his hilarious routine earned him a standing ovation from the panel and a rapturous applause from the audience.
The 52-year-old didn’t hold back with his Hot Takes on everything from parenting teenagers to being a two-time stroke survivor, leaving judges Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon howling over his unapologetically savage style. Markus even won the approval of the notoriously harsh Simon, who hailed his act as ‘brilliant’ while wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.
The victorious comic walked off stage with four unanimous ‘yes’ votes, setting expectations high for his next performance in the competition.
Comedian Markus Birdman earned a standing ovation from all four judges in his first BGT audition (Britain's Got Talent/Youtube)Markus’s Britain’s Got Talent journey came to a brutal end, however, after the Essex native failed to impress Simon in the Semi Finals at the iconic Hammersmith Apollo. About halfway into the 6 minute routine, the 63-year-old pressed the dreaded red buzzer – leaving the comic, as well as the other judges, visibly jolted. Despite this criticism being offset by the mostly positive feedback from Amanda, Alisha and Bruno, Markus lost the public vote to dance troupe Ghetto Kids and singer Travis George and was sent home.
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Several months on from the series’ finale, Markus has now lifted the lid on his Britain’s Got Talent experience – and his thoughts on Simon’s controversial comments on his Semi Finals gig.
With all of the jokes in the first half of the routine landing, he admits he was initially confused as to why Simon activated the mechanical heckle.
“If that had been a tumbleweed situation and he’d buzzed me, I would have gone, Fair play,” he tells the Mirror,“To be honest, I didn’t know what he’d done.”
Markus recalls how Simon’s protest changed the atmosphere of the arena, shifting the audience’s focus from the performance onto the panel.
Markus Birdman admits he isn't fazed by Simon buzzing him (Simon Fowler)
Simon claimed he buzzed Markus because the audience wasn't laughing 'enough' (Trae Patton/NBCUniversal via Get)“It didn’t throw me immediately, but it threw the room,” he says, “And I started going, This is weird now. It’s all about him. Not me. Everyone’s looking at him. It was just odd. I don’t know why he decided to do it.”
It likely didn’t help that Simon already holds a strong presence, with his VIP status in showbiz often leaving those around him either starstruck or hysterical.
“When Simon comes in, it’s like the Queen walked in. It’s another level of hero worship,” Markus explains. “He has the Midas touch, the ‘I can Make You a Celebrity.’ It’s an odd power.”
When quizzed by hosts Ant & Dec on his decision to buzz Markus, Simon insisted that the audience was not laughing “loud enough.” His explanation was met by loud booing from the crowds behind him, prompting him to swivel around his chair and accuse them of being silent during the Serious Black Jumper writer’s routine.
Markus never got the opportunity to speak to Simon after the show, but he doesn’t hold any personal grudges against the media mogul.
“If he doesn’t like me, he’s entitled not to like me,” he shrugs, “He plays the villain card very well, it’s just a shame to be at the end of it when I didn’t think it was well deserved.”
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As for being eliminated in the Semi-Finals after such a strong first audition, Markus believes it was a bittersweet result. While he acknowledges he had always hoped to win the competition, the dad-of-one also believes that there can be benefits to missing out on the crown.
“I’m happy not to win too, because I don’t have to carry [the title] around now,” he explains, “It unlocks a smaller door, but no doubt a door worth going through. And celebrity is not all it’s cracked up to be. It comes with lots of opportunities, and lots of opportunities to balls it all up, or have it all ballsed up for you. I’m happy for the modest lift that it’s done me.”
Markus is currently on a UK nationwide tour, with gigs everywhere from Brighton and Bath to Liverpool and Bristol. To find out how to get tickets to see him live, check out markusbirdmantour.com.
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