Viewers of ITV’s family-friendly Britain’s Got Talent were left confused after judge Alesha Dixon referred to a group of black singers as “chocolate men”.
The 37-year-old called singing group Vox Fortura “four sexy chocolate men, polished to perfection” during Wednesday night’s live show.
The comment did not go down well with many viewers and people took to Twitter to express their discomfort on hearing Alesha’s comment.
Alesha Dixon has not only been very unprofessional tonight #BuzzerGate but now she calls 4 black men "Chocolate". She really has to go #BGT
— BLONDIE (@BlondieJanner) May 25, 2016
Alesha Dixon's comment sexy chocolate men: Objectification and offensive plus pressing other judges' buzzers was overbearing #BGT2016
— Bethan Darwin (@BethanDarwin) May 25, 2016
Refering to someone by skin colour is not acceptable! Calling @Vox_Fortura 'chocolate men' is inappropriate @AleshaOfficial #BGT2016 #BGT
— Nicole Anna (@NicoleAnnaJ) May 25, 2016
Viewers with young children were unimpressed the phrase was used on a prime time family show.
Glad I sent the kids to bed cos I'm pretty sure if they copied Alesha & described a classmate as "chocolate" I'd be done for racism.#BGT
— Dee (@LadyWifeDee) May 25, 2016
Meanwhile others complained that if any other members of the panel had made such a remark, there would be consequences.
What just happened?? If it was Amanda Holden that just said 'chocolate men' it would kick offfff #BGT
— Claire Riddick (@claireriddickX) May 25, 2016
#BGT no one else offended by the racist comment…chocolate men?!?! If Simon had said that there would have been uproar!!
— Catherine Watkins (@Cathls79) May 25, 2016
However, some saw it as an overreaction.
Just so u knw a lot of women of colour refer to dark skinned men as 'chocolate'. Unprofessional in this instance time n place n all dat #BGT
— ChezG (@XchezaliciousX) May 25, 2016
People really running with this chocolate men thing. We all know what racism is and that wasn't, whether it was said by Amanda or not. #Bgt
— T Morris (@bigstraps) May 25, 2016
People need to stop moaning about Alesha's "chocolate men" comment. Did they LOOK offended?!! 🙄 #VoxFortura #BGT #BGT2016
— MissM (@Milly1978) May 25, 2016
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