Ashley Banjo has described the past year as the hardest of his life after his dance troupe Diversity faced a record number of complaints to Ofcom for a performance referencing the Black Lives Matter movement. The routine, aired on Britain's Got Talent in September 2020, depicted a white man standing on Banjo's neck, echoing the death of George Floyd.
The performance sparked over 30,000 complaints to the media regulator, making it one of the most complained-about moments in UK television history. Banjo, 33, said he was not trying to make a political statement but simply bringing a conversation to a natural place for him: the stage. He noted that without the Black Lives Matter element, the performance would not have been deemed too political or sad for light entertainment.
Banjo faced a torrent of online abuse, including racial slurs, which he contrasted with social media platforms' stricter policies on Covid-19 misinformation and nudity. However, he holds less resentment against those who complained respectfully, acknowledging that not all 30,000 complainants are racist. Some, he said, may have felt uncomfortable or complained without seeing the performance.
Despite the backlash, Banjo received support from unexpected figures, including Elton John and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Harry and Meghan called to offer support, understanding racism in Britain and the experience of facing backlash. Banjo described their encouragement as a huge help amid the negativity.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Banjo credited his mother, a dance teacher, for training him and managing his career. He met his wife, Francesca Abbott, while teaching at his family's studio. Banjo also spoke about the responsibility of supporting his family through his work, especially during the pandemic when touring was impossible.
