'You don’t need to have talent...' Britain's Got Talent comes under fire from hoax artist who claims auditions are 'manipulated to create a narrative' 

By Dan Cain and Jj Nattrass For Mailonline

Published: 21:11 EST, 5 February 2017 | Updated: 21:36 EST, 5 February 2017

A renowned prankster claims the producers of hit ITV show Britain's Got Talent manipulate the actions of hopefuls to fit their own agenda.

Simon Brodkin, who's also the brains behind comedy persona Lee Nelson, posed as Orthodox Jewish rapper Steven Goldblatt on the show last January to get an insight into the workings of the talent competition for a new Channel 4 documentary.

He secretly recorded his eight-hour audition process which resulted in him receiving four 'yes' verdicts from judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden.

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More to it than meets the eye: A renowned prankster claims the producers of hit ITV show Britain's Got Talent producers manipulate hopefuls to fit their own agenda (here, judges (L-R) David Walliams, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon pose with hosts Ant & Dec)

The Mirror newspaper quotes Simon as saying: 'This show sets itself up as a pure, simple, innocent talent show. I don’t think it’s that. It is contrived, manipulative and you don’t need to have talent.'

'Shortly before I went in front of the judges I was advised what to say and how to present my act.

'A lot is recreated and manipulated. My arrival, registration and leaving were all staged. I was given direction as to how to act and they reshot each stage several times.'

 Set-up: Simon Brodkin auditioned for the show undercover last January and is now due to present his findings

Prankster: Simon, who's also the brains behind comedy persona Lee Nelson, posed as Orthodox Jewish rapper Steven Goldblatt on the show last January to get an insight into the workings of the talent competition for a new Channel 4 documentary

He added that producers would try and get contestants to express a wide arrange of emotions so they had more content to work with.

Brodkin has been involved in a series of high-profile pranks on well-know figures including Kanye West, Sepp Blatter and most recently Donald Trump.  

He notably blagged his way on to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, where he managed to perform a fleeting rap with Kanye West in 2015.

The trickster also showered Fifa president Sepp Blatter in fake US dollars, shouting ‘Sepp – this is for North Korea in 2026’ at a press conference in Zurich.

Gatecrasher: Brodkin has been involved in a series of high-profile pranks on well-know figures including Kanye West, Sepp Blatter and most recently Donald Trump

While he poured Nazi-themed golf balls across a golfing green as Donald Trump opened his new course in Ayrshire last summer.

Meanwhile, Cowell himself was thrust into a dramatic situation during an audition for the current series of the show on Saturday.

After the man, known only as Luke, collapsed on the stage whilst performing a duet with his mother, Mary, the 57-year-old star rushed to his aid alongside Ant and Dec.

Britain's Got Compassion: Simon Cowell was anything but Mr. Nasty when he rushed to the aid of one contestant at the Britain's Got Talent live auditions in Birmingham, on Saturday

The Sun reports that the incident happened just before the end of auditions in Birmingham, as the mother/daughter duo belted out Frank Sinatra's My Way.

During the act, Luke - who is believed to be in his twenties - suffered a health scar, collapsing on stage with Simon rushing to his aid along with paramedics.

Speaking to the paper an audience member recalled the dramatic moment, saying the hopeful was under considerable stress.  

Dynamic duo: After the man, known only as Luke, collapsed on the stage whilst performing a duet with his mother, Mary, the 57-year-old star rushed to his aid alongside Ant and Dec

'His granddad died that day and combined with the stress of auditions, it really got to him,' the onlooker said.

'It was incredibly scary. Luke was singing with his mum and suddenly he just fell.

'All of the judges jumped to their feet, and Simon rushed on stage. Luke's mum was cradling him in her arms.'

Springing into action: During the act, Luke - who is believed to be in his twenties - suffered a health scare, collapsing on stage with Simon rushing to his aid along with paramedics

'His granddad died that day and combined with the stress of auditions, it really got to him': An onlooker told The Sun

High drama: The audience member added: 'All of the judges jumped to their feet, and Simon rushed on stage. Luke's mum was cradling him in her arms' 

The spectator also explained how as Luke was being treated Simon gave his thanks to the audience for being so 'compassionate'.

MailOnline has contacted a Britain's Got Talent Spokesperson for comment on the matter.

The 11th series of the show is currently being filmed, with auditions held all over the UK, with the show believed to be hitting screens again in April.

Back soon: The 11th series of the show is currently being filmed, with auditions held all over the UK, with the show believed to be hitting screens again in April

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