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Second-chance Hollie Steel sparks TV complaints

9:33am Thursday 4th June 2009


MORE than half of the complaints made to Ofcom after Britain’s Got Talent were about East Lancashire contestant Hollie Steel, the television watchdog said.

Last Friday’s programme attracted 331 complaints from viewers. But rather than being concerned about the emotional pressure being put on the 10-year-old, 281 people rang in to complain about her being allowed a second chance to sing after she broke down as she sang Edelweiss.

Only around 50 callers were worried about her welfare.

In comparison, 20 calls were made about the treatment of runner-up Susan Boyle, who has since been admitted to the Priory clinic, and only 16 calls were made following the show’s final on Saturday, which attracted 19.2million viewers.

A spokesman for Ofcom said: “There has been a lot of public interest in the semi-final and final of Britain's Got Talent.

“Audiences’ views matter and every complaint we receive about a television or radio programme is assessed against the Broadcasting Code.

“This is the rulebook that spells out what are the appropriate standards on TV and radio as well as the rules on how people who are featured in programmes should be treated.”

At present, Ofcom is not investigating the issue.

Hollie’s family said they are unable to comment on the figures, due to contractual reasons.

In the same week, the only other televised material to receive more than 10 complaints was a BNP party election broadcast.


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steveandkim, whitehaven says...
9:56am Thu 4 Jun 09

to be honest i beleive hollies "performance" was a fine act of the female art of manipulation. bursting into tears pulls at the heart strings and makes people feel sorry for her, then being allowed a second chance because of this she was probably only put through because of this. i know the stress of singing infront of the nation is nerve racking for most of us but as the effects of such were obviously getting to her did people really think she'd be able to perform infront of the royal family without cracking up. the voters that put her through to the final need their heads seen to unless they only did it because they felt sorry for her.

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elkartian, chatham says...
10:27am Thu 4 Jun 09

Anyone can see that Hollie comes from a very loving and caring family,she is a very polite charming girl with excellent manners. Hollie speaks very nicely with please and thankyou's after the judges comments.Hollie is only doing what she loves to do and that is singing,did you see how happy she was after the final song ,she was bouncing almost doing a little jigg with joy.As a trombone player and brass teacher myself i see the bullying of talented pupils playing brass instruments quite alot in schools ,usually by jealous people who think it is not cool to play an instrument or sing classical music and showtunes.On the internet and on utube there are so many offensive comments about hollie and her parents,i can only say that they are either jealous or come from families who have nothing better to do than to try and hurt a charming 10 year old girl and her family,hopefully all the negative ramblings will soon fade away and all the positive supporters of Hollie Steel will give her the confidence she deserves.I for one along with many others are not worried about Hollies welfare,i can see the loving support she gets from her family and friends and that is all that she needs.

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john the boss, great harwood says...
11:59am Thu 4 Jun 09

im sorry but it was all a act, twiddle fingers in her mouth been so up set....when my kids get upset or get hurt and start crying theres things called tears come out there eyes,...but it fooled a few im sure ,

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SJD, Blackburn, Blackburn says...
3:43pm Thu 4 Jun 09


How ridiculous that anyone would have ANY complaints about a 10 year old girl with obvious talent (the point of the show) is beyond me.
There must be sum miserable buggers out there!!!!

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Hellboy, Blackburn says...
4:30pm Thu 4 Jun 09

Petulent little snot who has quite obviously been groomed by Mummy and Daddy...She could'nt handle the pressure...live with it,all you fawning,cringing idiots...The show itself it a complete mockery of ANY talent that might be present in Britain anyway!

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HarleyHoney, Burnley says...
5:38pm Thu 4 Jun 09

This child should NEVER have had a second chance, it's an insult to anybody who wishes they had auditioned differently, it was all crocodile tears anyway and she only got through so she wouldn't cry again!!! Embarrasing for East Lancs

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burnley resident, Burnley says...
8:18pm Thu 4 Jun 09

BGT should be for 16 years and over and there should be a seperate competition for young kids.

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jamie whitney, falfield says...
9:17pm Thu 4 Jun 09

snot a snot?!?!?!?!?! how down right rude for goodness sake can people plase ony say something if its respectful and not disresepctful i'm getting fed up with this big fuss we all get nervous why on eath make such a big fuss??? its stupid and out or order. can it just stop?

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JPB, accrington says...
2:24am Fri 5 Jun 09

it`s over with now anyway, so the only people that have to watch her are the people that go out of their way to do so.

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lynne crawford, Edinburgh says...
8:49am Fri 5 Jun 09

After watching Hollie break down i too cried and was willing her on even though she wouldn't hear me, but how many other people would have been doing the same? I am sure a lot more than the people who complained? Everyone deserves a second chance and to hear this little girls voice it certainly was worth it. She has a bright cheery nature and a passion for singing and my 8year old daughter and I would love to see her on stage. We are going to see the "live" show just to see Hollie, and we can't wait!We loved her audition and she was our favourite all the way through the competition. Well done Hollie you did yourself and your family proud!x

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John Bold, Lancaster says...
11:27am Fri 5 Jun 09

what a load of old tosh. to put your child through that is just exploitation.

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harry, says...
5:06pm Fri 5 Jun 09

when a child cries and really cries there are things called tears, when this groomed little girl began to "cry" i didnt spot one single tear! would have loved to have the camera pan round to her mother to see what encouragement she was giving to that pathetic performance of acting sorry did i say acting i meant crying

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homer S, southampton says...
7:27pm Sat 6 Jun 09

I've seen adults crying and there are no tears coming out. Cannot believe people are being so harsh to a TEN-YEAR-OLD or are they jealous of her superb talent

Wish there were more parents like Hollie's mum and dad. World would be a better place.

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Blondie, says...
9:19am Mon 8 Jun 09

homer S : Wish there were more parents like Hollie's mum and dad. World would be a better place.


Sorry but i don't agree with you there in relation to the crocodile tear act.

Hollie's Mum should have stopped Hollie's pleas to be allowed a second chance knowing full well the rules as did Hollie.

Nina, Hollie's mum, clearly hasn't taught Hollie to bow down to failure and give in gracefully.

Life is hard, full of knocks, where second chances don't exist so Nina didn't do Hollie any favours and the complaints regarding this were justified as it was totally unfair to all the contestants and if Nina can't see this then she really has an issue.






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Blondie, says...
9:27am Mon 8 Jun 09

SJD, Blackburn wrote:
How ridiculous that anyone would have ANY complaints about a 10 year old girl with obvious talent (the point of the show) is beyond me. There must be sum miserable buggers out there!!!!
The point of the show is there is only ONE CHANCE!!

The youngsters that took part should have screamed the house down demanding a second chance like Hollie.
It was unfair on them and the others too.
Albeit the magician could have conjured up a better performance but wasn't given the chance.

Miserable buggers?

No! Fair buggers!!

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homer S, southampton says...
6:49pm Mon 8 Jun 09

Blondie wrote:
homer S : Wish there were more parents like Hollie's mum and dad. World would be a better place.


Sorry but i don't agree with you there in relation to the crocodile tear act.

Hollie's Mum should have stopped Hollie's pleas to be allowed a second chance knowing full well the rules as did Hollie.

Nina, Hollie's mum, clearly hasn't taught Hollie to bow down to failure and give in gracefully.

Life is hard, full of knocks, where second chances don't exist so Nina didn't do Hollie any favours and the complaints regarding this were justified as it was totally unfair to all the contestants and if Nina can't see this then she really has an issue.





Sorry but if you have ever watched Hollie on the news or on Britain's Got more Talent she does not appear to have bags of confidence, I.e always covering her face with her hands and giggling a lot. Even Simon Cowell told her that she did not know how good she was, obvious that she has not got bags of self-esteem. She looks like a gentle person who was slightly overwhelmed at performing in front of £15 million people. I don't believe her mum is pushing her at all and she only wanted her to have a second chance in the Semi because she obviously knew what it would have done to her daughters confidence. I agree that question marks should be raised over whether she should have put Hollie on the show, to be honest it sounded like her parents did not expect her to get this far.

Hollie is a fantastic singer and I wish her all the best for the future. Just hope she can cope with the pressure of people wanting to speak to her wherever she goes and her parents do their upmost to hold on to her childhood and not let her burn out. Her education is more important, her voice will always be there.

Good luck Hollie

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homer S, southampton says...
7:54pm Mon 8 Jun 09

Anyone know where we can send a weel done card.

Or should we just put name and area and hope it gets there.

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Mike Costa, Blackburn says...
7:47am Tue 9 Jun 09

Mike Costa says:

You could try sending your weel done card to:

Hollies Pushy Mum,
Accrington.

It should get there okay.

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acci mum, accrington says...
1:32pm Tue 9 Jun 09

what a spoilt brat obviously mummys pushy ways showed that why push a child she wasnt even crying wat a showup for accrington i sat watched with my family who sed 1 word "how pathetic " so embarassing " for east lancs shes got a great voice but geez let her grow up not push her too do things too many mums @ dads do this to there kids its not rite just to get in the limelight get a grip people !!!!

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TV STAR: Hollie Steel TV STAR: Hollie Steel


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