Britain’s Got Talent is facing renewed criticism after Sunderland singer Mickey Callisto revealed that producers did not allow him to perform his own material in the semi-final, fueling claims the ITV series manipulates its acts for dramatic effect.
The 28-year-old singer, dubbed the “Mackem Mercury” for his powerful vocals reminiscent of Freddie Mercury, was widely praised for his audition performance of Queen’s “Who Wants To Live Forever”. But when he returned for the semi-final at London’s Apollo, Callisto was instructed to sing “Somebody To Love” instead of showcasing an original song.
While Amanda Holden described his performance as “fantastic,” Alesha Dixon said she preferred his audition, and Simon Cowell dismissed him as a “really, really good Freddie Mercury tribute act.”
Speaking after his elimination, Callisto admitted: “Yes, it was like a tribute to Freddie, but I sing my own songs and I wanted to sing my own song. That’s what I do. But anyway—it doesn’t matter whether I sing my own songs or Queen.”
But the singer went further, suggesting that some performances are deliberately arranged to provoke reactions from the judges and crowd. “There are times when contestants like me are forced to sing producer-chosen songs,” he explained, hinting at behind-the-scenes pressures rarely discussed publicly.
Fans were outraged, flooding social media with accusations that the show had “stitched him up.” One wrote: “They should have let Mickey sing his own song. He was robbed again tonight.” Another added: “This is why the show feels fixed—amazing singers being boxed into tribute acts.”
The revelations come just weeks after Callisto’s career-defining viral moment in Paris, where he stunned crowds during a flash mob performance of Bohemian Rhapsody. The video, viewed over 500 million times, even won praise from Queen’s official account and led to international gig offers in Singapore and Amsterdam.
The contrast between his global acclaim and his restricted BGT appearance has only intensified debate over the show’s credibility. For some, Callisto’s claims expose a darker reality behind the glitter of TV talent contests—where artistry can be sidelined for manufactured drama.
Despite the controversy, Mickey’s rising profile suggests that his future may lie beyond the confines of scripted television—and on stages where he finally sings on his own terms.
