Ashley Banjo: Diversity’s Bafta shows ‘what the country truly thinks’ – Metro.co.uk
Ashley described the Bafta win as meaning everything to him (Picture: PA/BBC)
Diversity dance star Ashley Banjo has reflected on the groups 2021 Bafta win for Virgin TVs must see-moment for their powerful Black Lives Matter inspired routine, seeing it as what the country really thinks.
The dance, which was performed on Britains Got Talents first semi-final of the series in September 2020, was a reflection on topical issues of the past year, including the coronavirus pandemic and the death of George Floyd.
The homecoming for BGTs 2009 winning act sparked 31,000 Ofcom complaints and saw 32-year-old Ashley subjected to racist comments online at the rate of 100 abusive tweets per minute.
However despite acknowledging the polar opposites in reaction, the choreographer and dancer has chosen to believe the Bafta win is the publics true response to the emotive routine.
Describing how the win meant everything, Ashley explained: To go from being the most complained about group of people in the country to winning a Bafta for the must-see moment as voted for by the public its like polar opposite ends of the scale.
The star, who was chatting on The One Show on Monday, commented further on the division in public reaction to the performance.
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Even though its the same Great British public, it represents a completely different group of people to me, he revealed.
All of the hate [of] minority. That Bafta represents, in my view, what the country really thinks, so Im forever grateful for everyone that voted.
For anyone wondering where he keeps his award, the new host of ITV gameshow The Void reassured presenters Jermaine Jenas and Emma Willis that it has pride of place on his mantelpiece.
Ashley has also very recently revealed that he is in talks with Hollywood producers about a possible Diversity action-inspired blockbuster, which he described as feeling like Mission: Impossible or Fast and Furious, but with dance stunts and genuine creativity at the heart of it.
Speaking to The Sunday Mirror, he teased that the bosses hed been speaking to were very experienced in action movies and they know dance.
Considering the current record-breaking box office performance of Fast and Furious 9, we reckon Ashleys on to a good thing.
The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One.
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MORE : Bafta TV Awards 2021: Ashley Banjo thanks those who complained over Diversity BGT performance amid win: You showed why this moment was necessary
MORE : Ashley Banjo not surprised by Prince Harry and Meghan Markles Oprah Winfrey interview
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Ashley Banjo: Diversity's Bafta shows 'what the country truly thinks' - Metro.co.uk
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