Diversity’s Ashley and Jordan Banjo expressed elation over their BAFTA nomination on Tuesday for their Black Lives Matter performance on Britain’s Got Talent, while revealing the influx of abuse they received following the routine.
The Dancing On Ice judge, 32, depicted the death of George Floyd alongside his dance troupe and his brother, 28, on the ITV show in September.
And while discussing their Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment Award nomination – which takes place at Sunday’s BAFTAs – they told Loose Women on Tuesday why it is important to confront issues, such as racism through dance despite controversy.
‘I’d be over the moon to win’: Diversity’s Ashley and Jordan Banjo expressed elation over their BAFTA nomination on Loose Women on Tuesday for their Black Lives Matter performance on BGT, while revealing the influx of abuse they received following the routine
Ashley said: ‘The last thing I was thinking about was a BAFTA, I wanted to say what was in my heart and going on at the time. We’ve done countless shows and I would be over the moon to win this.
‘[But] The award won’t define the moment for me, I’ll be eternally proud, going through the storm of what happened afterwards and being able to tell my kids to stand up for what’s right. Even if 50,000, 100,00 people don’t agree with you.’
According to Jordan, the BLM-inspired performance, which received over 25,000 complaints to Ofcom, was the most ‘talked about’ dance routine they have ever created, as Ash spearheaded the production.
The 28-year-old said: ‘I think out of all performances, this is the thing that I definitely get spoken to about the most, 110 percent.
Controversy: Dancing On Ice judge Ashley (pictured), 32, depicted the death of George Floyd alongside his dance troupe and his brother, 28, on the ITV show in September
Shocked: Ashley said: ‘The last thing I was thinking about was a BAFTA, I wanted to say what was in my heart and going on at the time. We’ve done countless shows and I would be over the moon to win this’
‘When we were rehearsing I remember speaking to Ash and saying at the very, very start of rehearsals, “What’s the performance? What’s the timeline?” and I remember him explaining the concept to me, about a summary of 2020 and all these moments we were going to have in there.
‘And when it came to the Black Lives Matter part, even I went,’ Jordan said before making a nervous sound. ‘Are you sure? Are you sure we should do that? Is that the route we want to go down?”
‘I remember Ash saying to me, “the very fact you think it’s a [nervous noise] moment and we shouldn’t do it, is the reason we should.” And I’m so glad we did it and stuck to what we thought was right.
‘Luckily now we’re getting the positive reaction that we always hoped for.’
Storm: He added: ‘Going through the storm of what happened afterwards and being able to tell my kids to stand up for what’s right. Even if 50,000, 100,00 people don’t agree with you’
Honest: According to Jordan, the BLM-inspired performance, which received over 25,000 complaints to Ofcom, was the most ‘talked about’ dance routine they have ever created, as Ash spearheaded the production
During their routine, the group illustrated the death of Mr Floyd, who lost his life after police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest in Minneapolis on May 25.
Britain’s Got Talent became the most complained about show of the decade following the performance.
According to Ashley, they were accused of a reverse form of racism for exploring the issue in dance.
Centre stage: During their routine, the group illustrated the death of Mr Floyd, who lost his life after police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest in Minneapolis on May 25
He said: ‘There’s everything from it’s the wrong time and place, it was offensive, it was racist the other way.
‘We’ve had it all. A lot of people were triggered because it was raw and some people didn’t want to hear it at 8pm.
‘But that’s how racism works, you don’t strap on your seat belt and think you’re ready for it, it crops up. So I can’t think of a better time or way to use my platform.’
Response: Elaborating on some of the backlash they received, Ashley said: ‘There’s everything from it’s the wrong time and place, it was offensive, it was racist the other way’
Defiant: Britain’s Got Talent became the most complained about show of the decade following the performance
BAFTA TV Awards 2021: Winners
Drama Series
Save Me Too
Drama Series: Save Me Too starring Suranne Jonea and Lennie James
Leading Actor
Paul Mescal – Normal People
Leading Actor: Paul Mescal in Normal People
Leading Actress
Michaela Coel – I May Destroy You
Leading Actress: Michaela Coel in I May Destroy You
Supporting Actor
Malachi Kirby – Small Axe
Supporting Actor: Malachi Kirby in Small Axe
Supporting Actress
Rakie Ayola – Anthony
Supporting Actress: Rakie Ayola in Anthony
Comedy Entertainment Programme
The Big Narstie Show
Comedy Entertainment Programme: The Big Narstie Show
Female Performance In A Comedy Programme
Aimee Lou Wood – Sex Education
Female Performance In A Comedy Programme: Aimee Lou Wood in Sex Education
Male Performance In A Comedy Programme
Charlie Cooper – This Country
Male Performance In A Comedy Programme: Charlie Cooper in This Country
Mini-Series
I May Destroy You
Mini-Series: I May Destroy You starring Michaela Coel and Weruche Opia
Current Affairs
America’s War On Abortion (Exposure)
Current Affairs: America’s War On Abortion (Exposure)
Daytime
The Great House Giveaway
Daytime The Great House Giveaway
Entertainment Performance
Romesh Ranganathan – The Ranganation
Entertainment Performance Romesh Ranganathan – The Ranganation
Entertainment Programme
Life & Rhymes
Entertainment Programme: Life & Rhymes
Factual Series
Once Upon A Time In Iraq
Factual Series: Once Upon A Time In Iraq
Features
Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace
Features: Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace
News Coverage
Sky News: Inside Idlib
News Coverage: Sky News: Inside Idlib
Reality & Constructed Factual
The School That Tried To End Racism
Reality & Constructed Factual: The School That Tried To End Racism
Single Drama
Sitting In Limbo
Single Drama: Sitting In Limbo
Soap & Continuing Drama
Casualty
Soap & Continuing Drama: Casualty
International
Welcome To Chechnya: The Gay Purge (Storyville)
International: Welcome To Chechnya: The Gay Purge (Storyville)
Live Event
Springwatch
Live Event: Springwatch
Scripted Comedy
Inside No. 9
Scripted Comedy: Inside No. 9
Short Form Programme
They Saw The Sun First
Short Form Programme: They Saw The Sun First
Single Documentary
Locked In: Breaking The Silence (Storyville)
Single Documentary: Locked In: Breaking The Silence (Storyville)
Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment (Voted For By The Public)
Britain’s Got Talent – Diversity Perform A Routine Inspired By The Events Of 2020
Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment: Britain’s Got Talent – Diversity Perform A Routine Inspired By The Events Of 2020
Source: Daily Mail
