'Talent' star facing benefit fraud probe

Breakdancing Britain's Got Talent pensioner Fred Bowers is facing a benefits fraud probe after it emerged that he has been claiming disability payments for his leg.

The 73-year-old, who made it through to the semi-final on Saturday with his energetic routine, has been receiving £70 per week and a free car after telling medical staff that he had a "gammy left leg", according to The Sun.

A spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed that they were already investigating the case after being alerted by local benefits staff. "Although the Department of Work and Pensions does not comment on individual cases we do investigate and take seriously all accusations of fraudulent benefit claims," they said in a statement.

Bowers claimed that his disability doesn't affect his ability to perform and revealed that he would cease claiming the Disability Living Allowance as well as hand back his Motability car once he earned money from his dancing.

"My left leg is out of order but it doesn't stop me dancing. I mostly stand still during the dancing and I don’t chase around the stage," he told the newspaper.

"It's mostly my back, neck and head that I move so I don't see what the problem is because it is my leg that's bad. I'm not earning a penny through my dancing yet so I don't see the problem until I start earning.

"I'm likely to make a lot of money through my dancing and when I do I’ll get in touch with Motability and the payments will stop. Somebody is jealous, that’s all - and I suppose I'm going to get a few more critics. But surely I'm allowed to dance. People on Motability play sport and football and everything."

Bowers won support from all three judges after performing his act on Saturday night. Simon Cowell later exclaimed: "This is why I love doing this show - because of people like you, Fred."