Britain's Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas has spoken out against the backlash to her winning the talent show.
This year's final of the ITV series saw the 28-year-old crowned winner after performing a pitch perfect rendition of the ballad 'Over the Rainbow'.
As the first Golden Buzzer performance of this season of BGT, Sydnie had been a favourite to win from the get-go - however some fans were not happy to see her take home the £250,000 prize money.
You'd think as the first solo woman to win the show (without the help of a dog) in 17 years, Brits would be happy to see the talented performer head to the Royal Variety Performance - but it turns out many were annoyed by her triumph.
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Following the final, viewers took to social media to vent about Sydnie's win, with several claiming she was already a 'professional' singer and therefore it was unfair to allow her to compete.
Others even went as far as to suggest the final had been 'fixed' in Sydnie's favour due to her having some professional performing credits to her name.
However at the time of her BGT audition she had been working at a gym.
Speaking to Metro, the singer has opened up about how the reaction from the public has been 'soul-destroying' for her.
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"I’m new to all the attention," she said, adding that the fix allegations were 'just not true'.
"Everything has been genuine and I’ve said my truth so saying it’s not is questioning me. There’s nothing that breaks my heart more than to see [the doubt]," Sydnie continued.
"It makes me feel really c****y. It's soul-destroying but there’s nothing I can do to change their minds so I’ve had to separate myself."
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The 28-year-old went on to add that she 'would love' to speak to the critics in order to share her point of view but added 'they are so angry so there’s nothing more I can do'.
Sydnie emerged victorious on 2 June after competing against Abigail & Afronitaaa and Jack Rhodes in the final three.
Meanwhile head judge Simon Cowell has also faced backlash from viewers over his response to claims Sydnie had a professional background.
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During the final, Cowell said that 'none of them are professional' while discussing the acts - prompting fans to call his words a 'blatant lie'.
However, while Sydnie does have performance credits, it’s worth noting that her dream is to be ‘on the West End stage’ and she is not a ‘West End performer’.
LADbible has previously contacted ITV for comment.
Topics: Britains Got Talent, Entertainment, UK News, ITV, TV and Film