Who is Ned Woodman? Britain’s Got Talent 2017 finalist who had judges in stitches with his savage putdowns
NED Woodman might look cute as a button, but his savage jokes about the Britain's Got Talent judges left audiences divided after his first audition.
His jokes crossed a line for some viewers, but Ned won the viewers over during the live semi-final, seeing him through to Saturday's grand final. Here's a reminder of the pint-sized comedian's first audition, controversies and background.
Who is Ned Woodman and what is his Britain's Got Talent act?
Ned landed some savage blows against the BGT judges in his first audition, and may have progressed to the live shows in spite of, rather than because of them.
In his opening line Ned said: "Why were people so excited by that talking dog on Britain’s Got Talent? Amanda Holden’s been on it for years."
He went on to mock Simon Cowell as a cross-dresser, and said that David Walliams spewed garbage whenever he spoke on the show.
When he spotted Alesha Dixon laughing at his act, he said: "At least you're not dancing."
Why was his act controversial?
Ned's jokes are admittedly not the kind you expect a child to tell - and certainly not an 8 year old. Fans immediately flocked to Twitter to criticise the set, suggesting he hadn't written the material himself.
One wrote: "This 8 year old reading jokes clearly written by his parents is actually not funny! Needs some respect!"
While another called Ned a "tiny misogynist". And someone else tweeted: "I’m no Amanda Holden fan, but misogyny from an eight year old is not on!"
Some didn’t get the big deal: "why are people so pressed about the little boy dragging everyone? it was a joke & they all laughed so get over it sisters."
And when it emerged that Ned's dad Liam Woodman is a successful comedy writer fans said Ned's material had to have been fed to him by his funny dad.
Ned's digs at Amanda and the judges made many viewers gasp and giggle in equal amounts. But some were less than impressed - including Amanda Holden, who said she wasn't sure the 8 year old's jokes should be coming out of such a young mouth.
The judge had a word with Ned's dad, a writer on Lee Mack’s BBC1 sitcom Not Going Out, about the "inappropriate" jokes.
She said: "I don’t think that’s the right kind of humour to come out of a child’s mouth."
"I wasn’t annoyed at the boy.
"I have got a sense of humour, but I think he should temper his act to his age.
"I had words with his parents on the day. I don’t think any parent would let their child say that."
Fellow judge Alesha Dixon was also taken aback by the boy’s jokes.
She said: "We were surprised. What made him so shocking was it was this young person delivering quite adult jokes."
And Amanda has offered the schoolboy some advice, saying: "I think he should do his own material.
"My daughter Hollie says things like, 'Why did the biscuit go to the hospital? He felt crumby'. That is a funny joke for a child."
When is the Britain’s Got Talent final?
The live final is being broadcast tonight (Saturday 3 June), starting at 7.30pm on ITV and lasting until roughly 10pm.
It is up against Doctor Who on BBC One, The Lake Distrct: A Wild Year on BBC Two, Britain’s Ancient Tracks with Tony Robinson on Channel 4, as well as NCIS on Channel 5.
Which acts made it through to the Britain’s Got Talent final?
Finalists
- DNA, 43/29, Magicians
- Kyle Tomlinson, 15, Singer (David’s golden buzzer act)
- Matt Edwards, 34, Magician (Ant & Dec’s golden buzzer act)
- Issy Simpson, 8, Magician
- Ned Woodman, 8, Comedian
- Tokio Myers, 32, Pianist
- Merseygirls, 14-17, Dancers (Alesha’s golden buzzer act)
- The Pensionalities, 84/75, Singers
- Daliso Chaponda, 37, Comedian (Amanda’s golden buzzer act)
- Missing People Choir, 32-71, Choir
- Sarah Ikumu, 15, singer
