Ofcom and ITV receive dozens of complaints about Britain's Got Talent's talking dog Miss Wendy as RSPCA says it will be talking to show about the act
- Miss Wendy and owner Marc Métral put through to Semi Finals by panel
- But viewers said act was 'cruel' while RSPCA said it would work to 'ascertain what methods were used'
- Cowell called act 'incredible' - Amanda Holden said: 'You made TV history'
- But similar act was seen on America's Got Talent in United States in 2012
As Britain’s Got Talent acts go, she was certainly a conversation starter – a ‘talking’ dog with singing skills and a sense of humour.
But some viewers at home were less dazzled by Miss Wendy's false mouth trick - and questioned the effect of the 'cruel' stunt on the dog.
After Saturday's episode of the show, broadcasting regulator Ofcom received 21 complaints over the talking dog, while ITV received a further 35.
The RSPCA yesterday said it would be contacting Britain’s Got Talent ‘to ascertain what methods were used’ in the performance.
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Was it a trick? Britain's Got Talent singing dog Miss Wendy with owner Marc Métral stunned the judges - but it may not have been all it seemed
Convincing: Miss Wendy's mouth moved perfectly in time with the music but it is believed the dog had a fake jaw
Astonished: Simon Cowell thought the act was incredible and even called his girlfriend Lauren to tell her about it
Theory: It is believed that a false mouth was placed on Miss Wendy's face, which is triggered by a remote control
‘We would be very concerned if it became clear that [the dog] was caused distress,’ a spokesman said.
‘Distress could result from her being unable to breathe or pant properly whilst wearing a mask on stage – in an environment which can get very warm, it is essential that panting is not restricted.’
One viewer wrote on on Twitter: ‘That’s not talent [and it] should be looked into for animal abuse.’ Others said the act was cruel.
But French ventriloquist Marc Metral insisted that Miss Wendy ‘loves performing’.
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‘I’ve been working with Wendy since she was a puppy,’ he said. ‘I would never put her in a situation that would cause her distress. She gets excited when we go to work and is always comfortable on stage.’
Britain’s Got Talent also defended the act, with a spokesman saying RSPCA guidelines were consulted during the audition process.
‘We are comfortable that Mr Metral’s act complies with the guidelines and we look forward to hearing from the RSPCA to talk through the methods used,’ he added.
Cowell has always dismissed claims that having animals on the show is cruel. He has previously said: ‘God no, I think the opposite! We show animals’ personalities.
Agreement: Marc and Wendy received a standing ovation on Saturday and progressed to the semi-finals - with Amanda Holden telling him he had made TV history
‘I think they all have a great time on our show, you can see the dogs are wagging their tails.’
Perched high on a silver plinth, Miss Wendy shared a joke with her owner and serenaded the judges with a rendition of 1970s classic Feelings during Saturday's episode, which was watched by 11m viewers.
The audience roared with laughter as she argued with French ventriloquist Marc Metral – and all four judges were so impressed they sent the pair straight through to the next round.
Old dog old trick? In 2012, a contestant on America's Got Talent, Todd Oliver astounded judges with his talking French bulldog, Irving (pictured)
But in case you were wondering just how easy it is to teach a dog to talk, the trick behind the act can be revealed with a quick look at the ITV show’s archives.
A similar illusion was used on America’s Got Talent in 2012, when contestant Todd Oliver appeared to make his French bulldog speak.
It involves fitting a fake snout over the nose of the animal, which is then controlled remotely to make the artificial mouth open in time with the routine. To make it seem more realistic, the breathable snout is covered in fur exactly the same colour as that of the dog.
And the novelty clearly hadn’t worn off by Saturday night, as Simon Cowell seemed particularly astounded by the performance of 61-year-old Mr Metral and his pet.
Amanda Holden told her French owner that he had 'made television history' and Cowell phoned his girlfriend Lauren Silverman to tell her about it.
Holden said to Mr Métral: 'Congratulations, in the nine years of doing this show, Simon has said he wanted a dog that could meow or sing, and you did both, incredible.'
Simon Cowell commented: 'Wow, I don't know how she does that. How does she know the words? Unbelievable.'
Marc and Wendy received a standing ovation on Saturday and progressed to the semi-finals.
On Saturday another act shocked Simon Cowell when a fearless free-runner pretended to be injured after plunging from a balcony during a terrifying routine.
Look out below: Matt McCreary's jaw-dropping audition saw him pretend to fall over as he jumped from the balcony
Ouch: He went to put on a dazzling display on the stage as he ended his audience with an impressive jump over Ant and Dec
Cowell, who earlier in the week conned Amanda Holden into thinking she was being dumped from the show for Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, was left open-mouthed when 20-year-old Matt McCreary, from Belfast, leapt around the stage.
Cowell asked McCreary: 'Oh my God, Matt are you really OK?' as he lay on the theatre floor after diving from a balcony.
The 20-year-old, also leapt over show hosts Ant and Dec on stage, also impressed Amanda Holden, who told him: 'We have never seen anything as brave and dangerous before'.
But not everyone on the panel was won over, with David Walliams joking: 'Jumping over two people who are that short isn't really such a big deal.'
Amazing: Britain's Got Talent started with a bang on Saturday when Simon Cowell pressed his Golden Buzzer in the first round of auditions as he put singing through singer Calum Scott
You're in: Receiving not only a standing ovation, he also got a golden buzzer from Simon as his sister was able to move past her exit and give her brother a hug
Later Simon Cowell pressed his Golden Buzzer in the first round of auditions as he put singing through singer Calum Scott.
Scott, 26, had come along to audition for the ITV talent competition with his sister who failed to impress the judges while her brother went on to wow Simon.
The recruitment officer from Hull, had to go on stage after watching his sister's audition go wrong, and he performed Dancing On My Own by Robyn.
Receiving not only a standing ovation, he also got a Golden Buzzer from Simon, causing his sister to run on stage and give her brother a proud hug.
Simon revealed why he pressed the buzzer saying: 'I've never ever in all the years I've done this show heard a guy with the talent you've got'.
At the start of the show, Simon was seen driving his fellow judges to the auditions.
Well, that's different: The show kicked off with 42-year-old Narinder Dhanni. The IT consultant certainly started things off in a unique style as he played his instrument – which turned out to be a comb
Helping out: He immediately received a buzz from Simon Cowell before he was joined on stage by hosts Ant and Dec as they played I Just Called To Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder
The show kicked off with 42-year-old Narinder Dhanni. The IT consultant certainly started things off in a unique style as he played his instrument – which turned out to be a comb.
He immediately received a buzz from Simon Cowell before he was joined on stage by hosts Ant and Dec as they played I Just Called To Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder.
Narinder received a standing ovation from Amanda Holden and David Walliams as he began to play It's The Final Countdown.
Narinder managed to get through on three positives - much to Simon's displeasure.
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