BRITAIN’S Got Talent ratings have taken a huge hit, plummeting by half in four years as the ITV show’s launch episode faced backlash from fans.

The famous talent show returned last night with judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and guest judge KSI on the panel.

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Britain’s Got Talent returned for it’s 19th season last night and fans were not best pleasedCredit: ITV
 

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Fans of the ITV show were fuming as they discussed the lack of talent so farCredit: ITV
Fans are not best pleased with the 19th series and it seems that’s been reflected in the shocking ratings.

Historically, BGT has brought in a massive audience of six to 10 million viewers per series.

But, last night’s episode was a disastrous way to kick things off with the show only managing to scrape half, just three million.

That’s the lowest EVER rating for the show, which is sure to be disappointing for ITV bosses.

While the figures don’t include ITVX streaming, the debut episode saw viewership plummet by approximately 1.5 million compared to last year.

At it’s peak there were 3567.7 viewers, according to official statistics.

The popular show was also beaten by BBC2’s Winter Olympic coverage, peaking at 5.5 million viewers.

Rating on shows including the Michael McIntyre show, Gladiators and the 1% Club all came in at one to 1.5m lower than normal.

Unimpressed BGT viewers took to social media to discuss the lack of talent on yesterday’s episode.

After a string of average acts, one viewer asked: “Have we run out of talent?”

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Britain’s Got Talent’s KSI was mocked by fans yesterday as he made an embarrassing blunder during emotional performanceCredit: ITV
But what really set fans off was Simon’s golden buzzer act – Paul, 53, who showed off his incredible silk making skills, as he lifted himself and his wheelchair into the air using the red silk ropes.

While Paul will now be sent straight through to the live shows, fans weren’t convinced that it was “Golden Buzzer worthy.”

One wrote on X: “Am I missing something? I really didn’t think he was that good, he literally just swung from a rope?”

A second posted: “That is not a golden buzzer. Well actually for this s*** show I’m not surprised.”

Fans also criticised the show branding it “overproduced” and “fake.”

One fan said: “These shows have just had their day. Simon learnt the hard way with X Factor, it declined quite rapidly over the final few years, The Voice gets about 3 viewers and now BGT joins the ranks.”

Another viewer wrote: “It’s overproduced, has been for the past 5 years or so. The slow motion, the awful music, American style crowd reactions, the fake stitched together audience storylines, it’s predictable, phoney…”

millions of times but judges pretend they’ve ‘never seen it’. All fake including so called magic acts.”

“I honestly do not think that was golden buzzer worthy and can see this series being sympathy votes,” a fourth commented.

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Britain’s Got Talent’s viewership has dramatically decreased by half in four yearsCredit: ITV