Viewers of Britain's Got Talent have expressed confusion and frustration after the audition of 92-year-old actress Shani Wallis, known for her role in the Oscar-winning film Oliver!, was relegated to the Unseen spin-off rather than the main programme.
Wallis, who played Nancy in the 1968 musical, impressed judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, KSI and Amanda Holden with her rendition of 'As Long As He Needs Me'. She received a standing ovation and was sent through to the next round, but her performance was not included in the main broadcast.
Fans took to social media to question the decision, with one asking: 'Why did they cut her??' Another commented: 'I don't get why she wasn't on the main show tbh.' A viewer on X, formerly Twitter, wrote: 'Why was Shani Wallis demoted to the Unseen auditions? She is an icon and sang brilliantly.'
Wallis herself noted during the audition that she had performed on the same stage 70 years ago. The judges were initially unaware of her identity until she revealed her role in Oliver!, which won six Oscars including Best Picture.
ITV has not commented on the decision to exclude Wallis from the main show. The Unseen spin-off features additional auditions not shown in the main programme.
