...........are just putting through people who they think will make good television, and not because of their talent.

There are thousands and thousands of comedians, singers, impressionists and entertainers up and down the country who are ignored by this "freak" of a show.

Yes, I was thinking about that, as well.

Some acts in the televised auditions are truly awful and sometimes the judges will comment, correctly, that an act is completely pointless.

But it's not made clear to the viewing public that these 'completely pointless' acts have already got through one audition to reach the televised stages.

What's the point of selecting pointless acts? Well, none, if you're running a talent contest, but really BGT is a soap opera / freak show.

It is the same every year though

Yes, and they do the same thinkg with XF too. But it is a formula that obviously works for them.

I just think it's a shame for the genuine talent that gets binned off but that's how it is these days.

I wonder if New Faces and Opportunity Knocks worked like that? Showing my age now... oops.

To me, it seems to be getting worse.

Or perhaps I'm just becoming more cynical.

Two years ago, George Sampson's year, I followed the whole think very closely, but I only recall one obviously wast-of-space act in the semis - the Star Wars keyboard guy - but this year we've had several: Madonna, Lady GG, leprechaun, chopping wood . . .

The chopping wood fellow had us lost for words. We could not believe he was given the airtime. I guess, like Mike Machell (StarWars keyboard man) he was put through as cannon fodder. Not nice or fair to do that to the deluded.

I think chopping wood guy knew he was cannon fodder though. Not so sure about Lady Gaga and Madonna guys though.

New Faces and Opportunity Knocks worked in a different way didn't they? Was OK the show with the clapometer? And NF had the first of the nasty judges in Tony Hatch?

There was NIna Myskow. I recall the late great Marti Caine calling her N I N A because she is Never Intentionally Nice to Anyone. Bless her.

Was that New Faces? which show as Mickey Most a judge on?

Yeah, Nina was New Faces. Can't recall Mickie Most.

Hughie Green started OK and Bob Monkhouse relaunched it years later.

Maybe I dreamt about Mickey Most. But the old style talent shows didn't go for these novelty acts did they? Or the mildly deranged being invited to audition so they could be ridiculed on TV?

ETA Just googled MM and he was a judge on NF

"Most was a panelist ITV's New Faces where his tough assessments of contestants foreshadowed the style of Simon Cowell"