Ohferchristsake, give Holly Steele a break
My seven-year-old daughter really wanted Holly Steele to win Britain's Got Talent; possibly more than Holly herself. She immediately identified with the girl that is just a few years older. As she watched the entire final, analysing all the acts (the grandfather and granddaughter act was a close second) she kept chanting "I want Holly, I want Holly".
In case you live in a cave and missed Friday's semi-final, Holly broke into tears after she made a mistake and was told she couldn't have another go. I'm sure every mother's heart collectively broke when in the midst of tears, Holly said she wanted her mummy.
What I found interesting was the reaction on stage: Amanda didn't miss a beat and went running to comfort the distressed contestant (what else could a Hannah-Oke judge do?) Ant and Dec acted like concerned uncles that don't have kids themselves (thank you you're making things worse) and PR-savvy Simon figured out right away he needed to give Holly another go.
As for all the hoopla surrounding Holly. Puh–lease!
Should children be allowed enter the competition? Parents are the best judge of what's good for their child, not Simon Cowel, thank you very much.
Should Holly have been given a second chance? ABSOLUTELY. It's Britain's Got Talent, not Britain's over 18s Got Talent. She is a child, ferchristsake! She doesn't have the same maturity of a 49-year-old.
I'm just glad it's all over and we can all get on with our lives.
The Internet and social networking sites are filled with reminders and information. | 2nd Nov 10
The Internet and social networking sites are filled with reminders and information.
Impotence causes | 14th Oct 10
I wish with all my heart that all is well. My name is David, from 4 years ago I dedicate my life to reading and reading, I love when I get home and I have the opportunity to find items as sensational as this. I congratulate the creators, because without doubt they have put a lot of dedication and commitment to this work.
Anna / Tiggsybabes | 19th Jun 09
My 4 year old is called Holly & has wanted her to win from the start. I was in tears watching the semi final & am still in 2 minds as to what I think about children being placed under that sort of pressure. What would a 10 year old do with £100k?
Expat Mum | 2nd Jun 09
I hate to say it but if kids are going to enter these competitions, they have to play by the rules and be able to deal with it – otherwise stay out. (I know that sounds really hard, – I blame the parents.)
working mum | 2nd Jun 09
And another thing (me again) – look at how well the BBC handled the children in the Oliver competition. Lots of team activities building on the boys’ talent, lots of praise for all concerned, no public voting – much better handling of children in a competition in an adult entertainment programme.
working mum | 2nd Jun 09
I don’t watch BGT, but surely there must be other ways for children to showcase their talent? Can’t help thinking of what happened to poor Lena Zavaroni after winning Opportunity Knocks.
Noble Savage | 2nd Jun 09
I agree with Antonella. As heartwrenching as it was to watch Hollie flub her performance and look so terrified, I do think that she only got a second chance because of the tears and the fact that she was a cute little girl. If she’d been a boy and hadn’t cried but begged for another chance I have to wonder if they’d have given it.
I tend to agree that they either need a separate competition or to treat all contestants the same. A crying adult who forgot her lines would’ve gotten little sympathy and certainly wouldn’t have been given a second chance, even if her nerves had overtaken her.
If you’re going to allow your children to enter something as adult as the entertainment industry and live television, you also have to prepare them for the pitfalls and consequences too.
Iota | 2nd Jun 09
The thing that I couldn’t cope with was the tedious “nerves of steel” comments that were made beforehand. I was still getting over how bad a pun that was, when it became ironic.
Maternal Tales | 1st Jun 09
Didn’t see the semi-final, but watched the final unaware of what had happened before…until I just read it here (so thanks for keeping me updated). Thought she was greta in the final and was surprised she didn’t make the top three. Can’t open your link btw…wanted to see her asking for her Mummy – I think it may have set me off though, so maybe it’s not such a good thing! xx
A Modern Mother | 1st Jun 09
Jen — yes it pulled on my heart strings too
Erica — a separate one for children is a great idea
Jane — taking rights away from parents is a slippery slope, but I see your point
Antontella — I’m glad it’s over too
2TooMany — I think Susan Boyle is even more popular in the US!
Kat — yes!
Anon — everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I love it hear it all
Anon | 1st Jun 09
Little Connie from series one was only 5 years old, never mucked up and never cried. It all looked a bit staged to me. I am a mum of 4 and my heart didn’t cry out to her, I thought it was outrageous that she got a second chance no matter what her age, would she have got a second chance in front of the Queen had she won? Sorry if you don’t agree with this but you wrote the post, you have to expect we won’t all feel the same, even if we are mums
Kat | 1st Jun 09
My daughter wanted Holly to win as well. My heart just died a bit when she burst into tears. It is so much pressure. I was so glad when she knocked it out of the park on Saturday during the final. In my mind, she won.
TooManyHats | 1st Jun 09
Had not heard about this. Of course living in the states, we don’t get this show. All we have been hearing about REPEATELY is Susan Boyles. Has she gotten her 15 minutes of fame or what.
Antonella | 1st Jun 09
I agree with the previous comments. Either there should be a separate competition for children or even better none at all. Kids are already subject to all sort of pressure by the parents, school and peers and I think it’s getting a bit too much. They should be allowed to enjoy a serene childhood and not being pushed, pushed and pushed all the time. I felt so sorry for Holly when she cried almost histerically but at the same time I don’t think she should have been treated differently from the other contestants (there were other kids as well who did not beahve like that!). If her parents decided to put her through a mixed competition like that, they should have also prepared her for failure. Anyway, glad all the hype is over!
Jane Alexander | 1st Jun 09
I couldn’t agree more with Erica. I felt distinctly uncomfortable watching Hollie under that pressure and, while I’m sure she did want to do it, I just wonder if her mother should have let her in the first place. Are parents always the best judge? I’m not sure that’s true when it comes to show business, sadly.
Erica | 1st Jun 09
There should be a seperate children’s contest where there is a competitve edge but with less hype where children can compete on a level playing field, there’s something about young children competing for a 100k prize that’s a little wrong, it adds way too much pressure and may bring out the worst in (some) parents.
Jen | 1st Jun 09
I didn’t watch this but I did just watch the clip you linked to and cried into my Fruit n Fibre watching her say I want my mummy!