Cowell speaks about 'Talent' fix claims

Simon Cowell has admitted that he can understand why Britain's Got Talent fans have claimed that the show is fixed.

Producers were accused of "manipulating" the vote by putting their favourite contestants last in the running order each night. It was claimed that doing so helped the chosen acts to be fresh in viewers' memories when the phone lines opened.

In each semi-final episode, the last act to perform has gone through to the final on viewer votes alone. The pattern was seen with Signature, Andrew Johnston, George Sampson, Faryl Smith and Escala.

"It does look strange. But, to be honest, I think this is more down to the editorial content of the show," Cowell told the Daily Star. "It is not a fix. But what they have done is gone for 'the big act' to come on at the end of the night. The producers have chosen people who received a huge public reaction during our audition shows to go last. It's just the way it is."

The newspaper claims that string quartet Escala had been due to perform mid-way through last night's show. It is said that they were then switched to the final slot at the last minute.

The Britain's Got Talent final airs on ITV1 tonight at 6.50pm.