Diversity’s Ashley Banjo says ‘hate’ from BGT viewers and 24,500 complaints convinced him to ramp up his BLM campaign

: "So there were points when I was genuinely worried, you know, points when I would think to myself, 'Will it be safe to go here or go there?'

"Even now, you know, sometimes I'll look and go, 'That could be a group of people that really disagrees with me'; you don't know how they’re going to [react] when you put your neck out on the line for what you believe in.

"It’s caused a pretty visceral reaction from people."

Despite the backlash, the Black Lives Matter dance has been backed by the TV watchdog Ofcom.

The decision has upset some viewers, with one insisting: "We need a petition to get rid of Ofcom."

A spokesperson for the watchdog said: "We concluded that the programme did not raise issues which warranted investigation under our broadcasting rules.

"We carefully considered a large number of complaints about this artistic routine, an area where freedom of expression is particularly important.

"Diversity’s performance referred to challenging and potentially controversial subjects, and in our view, its central message was a call for social cohesion and unity.

"Any depictions of violence by the performers were highly stylised and symbolic of recent global events.

"There was no explicit reference to any particular political organisation – but rather a message that the lives of black people matter.”

It came after ITV said they were standing by the dance - and Britain's Got Talent stand-in judge Ashley Banjo.

A spokesperson told The Sun Online: "Britain's Got Talent has always been an inclusive show, which showcases diversity and supports strong storytelling in all forms.

"ITV stands behind the decision to broadcast Diversity's performance on BGT.

"Ashley and the group are a great example of the talent, creativity and diversity of modern Britain and their performance was an authentic, heartfelt response to many of the issues and events which have affected society in 2020."