TV VIEWERS were left divided after comedian Axel Blake took home the top prize during the final of Britain's Got Talent 2022, leaving St Helens' Jamie Leahey as runner-up.
Axel beat the likes of ventriloquist Jamie, 13, and singer Tom Ball, who came third, to win the £250,000 grand prize and chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
But after Axel, who was Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer act in the talent contest, was crowned the winner there was a mixed response on social media.
Axel had delighted the audience with his stand-up routine but after his audition was aired in April, it emerged he was an established comedian who has a show featured on Amazon Prime Video.
The comedy special, currently unavailable to watch, was filmed from his 2018 headline show I'm Not Gonna Lie at the Indigo at the O2 in London.
Axel's own website spells out his credentials: "Over the past decade, Axel Blake has built his reputation, on and offline, as one of the UK’s leading entertainers.
"His confident and animated persona captivates his audience whether he is delivering stand-up comedy, presenting for the likes of Crep Protect, UNILAD or SBTV, hosting shows or creating his hilarious viral video sketches.
"The comedian, presenter and content creator, has long established his position in the world of comedy, firstly as a rising star before solidifying his place as a champion comic and robust headliner."
Many turned to Twitter to question why a show that they believed was to showcase new talent had crowned a winner who already has a TV show.
@SandieJ3 wrote: "Not really fair Axel won BGT as he's already out there."
And @John_Guy1 asked: "Can someone tell me, how someone like Axel Blake, who had his own TV show on @primevideouk to appear on @BGT and win it."
Indeed, some Star readers turned to social media to say that in their eyes Jamie was the "real winner".
Others though suggested that times are changing and that spots on platforms such as Spotify, Amazon and YouTube do not necessarily equate to big bucks or success, meaning Axel thoroughly deserved his chance to shine on the big stage.
After controversy over professional acts competing in the competition arose in April Britain's Got Talent responded with a statement to a national news organisation, which read: "Anyone can apply for Britain's Got Talent whether they are professional or amateur, irrespective of their experience.
"All contestants are auditioned on merit and judged on their performance on the day and whilst some of the acts appearing on the show may have tasted a level of success, they are not household names.
"All enter the contest with the hope of elevating their career to the highest level."
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