A Britain’s Got Talent contestant has responded after claims his iconic performance was ‘fixed’.
Max Fox, a singer, was in the crowd at the show’s Blackpool set of auditions before being brought on stage and receiving a golden buzzer.
Fox called out to the judges between acts, imploring them to give him a chance.
He claimed he had been trying to ‘get in front of’ Simon Cowell for 19 years, before a bemused Cowell instructed him to get backstage.
Even guest judge for the episode KSI was shocked, asking if it was a ‘set-up’.
Fox sang Frank Sinatra’s 'My Way', receiving a Britain's Got Talent golden buzzer for his efforts and being fast-tracked straight to the live semi-finals.
While many gushed over the unique way the judges appeared to have unearthed a talent, several viewers accused it of being a publicity stunt.
One viewer tweeted: “Max Fox just deciding to randomly audition while sat in the audience and they’re telling us it wasn’t a set up?”
Another said: “Max Fox on BGT definitely set up by production company. No way it's that quick.
“I don't believe judges or security were told either or the audience. They wouldn't reject same person 16 times for the same show.”
Max Fox was pulled from the crowd (ITV) Simon Cowell, the host and creator of the show, spoke out against these claims on This Morning, saying: “On my life, I swear to god that was not a set up.”
Cowell even went as far as to say he would take a lie detector test on TV if necessary.
Fox himself has now spoken out, addressing the claims his appearance on the show was fixed.
Appearing on BBC Lancashire, he referenced rumours that Leona Lewis had met Cowell prior to her appearance on The X-Factor, and seemed to relate to this situation.
He received a golden buzzer from Amanda Holden (ITV) He said: “I suppose that now that I’m living in this moment and I know that what happened was true and I know that the way it went on the TV, it literally did happen that way.
“Sometimes fairytales do happen and, though it seems unbelievable, it is true.”
This led to outpouring of support from fans, with one commenting on Fox’s post of the interview on YouTube saying: “I watched your audition. Wow! So emotional, I actually cried. Way to go.
“Fixed or not, you were brilliant. Wishing you every success for the future.”
Fox posted the video to the r/Britain’sGotTalent subreddit, saying: “This moment made the whole episode worth it, I loved the entire unexpected shift of the show and it will be 100% remembered for sure.
“Keep up the great work and I'm begging that you win.”