BGT: The Champions fans were left divided by Amanda Holden’s choice of golden buzzer on tonight’s series opener.
The judge sent sand artist Kseniya Simonova, who won Ukraine’s Got Talent, straight through to the grand final after an unusual and moving performance.
Many viewers agreed with tearful Amanda’s decision after Kseniya told how her act helped children overcome cancer, but others were left scratching their heads.
In her VT ahead of the performance, the sand artist, who also reached the finals of America’s Got Talent: The Champions, said: “Since Ukraine’s Got Talent, for 10 years I’ve worked as a volunteer with children who fight cancer.
“I create sand stories to encourage them to fight.
“This story tonight is devoted to those who are here and those who are in the stars.
“If I make one child feel strong enough to fight cancer, I’m the winner tonight.”
After creating astonishing drawings live in sand, Amanda pressed her one golden buzzer for the series, with many fans agreeing with her on Twitter.
One said: “Couldn’t have picked a better golden buzzer.”
Read more: Viewers in tears as BGT legend Ashleigh recalls Pudsey’s death
Another posted: “Wow that sand artist / illustration was beautiful and incredibly hard hitting. Thoroughly deserved the buzzer.”
Wow that sand artist / illustration was beautiful and incredibly hard hitting. Thoroughly deserved the buzzer.@BGT #BGTChampions
— Rainbow Socks (@SockRainbow) August 31, 2019
oh my god i’m literally crying my eyes out, imagine having a talent like that where creating stories using just sand can connect with so many and genuinely change people’s lives… what an incredible, incredible woman 💖 #bgtchampions
— katie (@Kaaaaatie_x) August 31, 2019
Couldn’t have picked a better golden buzzer 👏🏻 #BGTChampions
— Laura Peacock (@littleepea_) August 31, 2019
The sand artist was absolutely amazing! WELL DESERVED ❤️ #BGTChampions
— ~ (@MairaaM_x) August 31, 2019
Honestly the most deserving golden buzzer I’ve ever seen..absolutely beautiful! #BGTchampions
— lynda sutton (@suttyone) August 31, 2019
But others voiced their dissent with Amanda’s choice, with one tweeting: “So a woman who does exactly what my eight-year-old nephew could do at the beach with a bucket and spade gets the golden buzzer.”
Another wrote: “No no no, sandwoman is not a golden buzzer act.
“This is about entertainment not sob stories, it’s Got Talent not Got the Sobbiest Sob Story in the Sob Shop.”
No no no, sandwoman is not a golden buzzer act. This is about entertainment not sob stories, it’s got talent not got the sobbiest sob story in the sob shop. #BGTChampions #wrongwrongwrong
— richard figg (@richard_figg) August 31, 2019
So a woman who does exactly what my 8 year old nephew could do at the beach with a bucket and spade gets the golden buzzer 😂🤦♂️ #BGTChampions
— Liam Bearder (@liambearder9) August 31, 2019
Can’t believe @AmandaHolden just totally wasted her golden buzzer on a bloody sand artist seriously? Why? #BGTChampions
— Grianne Doherty (@GrianneDoherty1) August 31, 2019
Wouldn’t say that was worthy of a golden buzzer… #BGTChampions
— Jake Poole (@JakeRPoole) August 31, 2019
Asked why she pressed the golden buzzer by hosts Ant & Dec, Amanda told Kseniya: “I heard you saying you work with cancer patients and with children specifically so the whole message was very uplifting and very emotional.
“But for me your quiet skill requires no language.
“This is the champion of champions, this is about all nationalities, we’re going across the world.
“Nothing needed explaining, you did it all with just sand.”
Read more: Fans express concern over Simon Cowell’s face in new BGT: The Champions photo
Simon Cowell added: “If I had the golden buzzer tonight, I would have done the same thing.”
He told the act: “You so deserve that and I’m thrilled for you.”
* Heat two of BGT: The Champions airs on ITV next Saturday night.
Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!