Britain's Got Talent has sparked a 'fix' row after a surprise audition saw an audience member jump out the audience for a surprise audition and secure a Golden Buzzer.
During the final round of auditions on Saturday, singer Max Fox stunned both the audience and judges when he shouted out from the audience and begged to sing for the judges.
Judges Simon Cowell, 65, Amanda Holden, 54, Alesha Dixon, 46, and guest panellist KSI, 31, were left baffled by the outburst and were convinced it was a production set up.
Max explained that he had tried to audition for 19 years but had never got through and begged Simon for a chance to take to the stage and person.
He pleaded: 'Can you give me one opportunity? I can show you what I've got.'
The outburst caused visible confusion on the panel and Simon stood up and asked: 'Come here, are you serious? Hang on, is this a wind-up?'
Britain's Got Talent has sparked a 'fix' row after a surprise audition saw an audience member leap up, beg to perform, and then go on to receive the coveted Golden Buzzer
Singer Max Fox stunned both the audience and judges when he interrupted the final round of auditions by shouting out from his seat, pleading for a chance to show what he could do
Judges Simon Cowell (pictured), 65, Amanda Holden , 54, Alesha Dixon , 46, and guest panellist KSI , 31, were left baffled by the outburst and were convinced it was a set up
As Max made his way towards the stage, security quickly intervened, moving to block him, but Simon, sensing the moment might be genuine, let him through.
Simon repeatedly asked if it was a set-up, with Max insisting: 'No, I'm a singer, I'm a local singer. My name's Max, Max Fox. I feel like it's my last time.'
After much deliberation, Simon agreed, telling the delighted singer: 'Alright, go do it. So this isn't a set up? You just chanced it?'
With Max replying: 'I just chanced it, yeah. I got at the front of the audience and I just got lucky with this jacket, I think!'
As Max headed backstage to prepare, Simon turned to a crew member and said: 'He wants to sing a song.'
The crew member responded: 'He can't just go on now we need to get a track. We'll get his track and sort him out.'
The show continued with the scheduled auditions, but Max eventually returned to the stage - this time as a contestant as he ended the auditions with his surprise show.
He left audiences gobsmacked as he delivered a powerful rendition of Frank Sinatra's My Way, earning a standing ovation and leaving the judges visibly moved.
The audience erupted in applause, chanting for the Golden Buzzer - and Amanda didn't hesitate in clicking the button.
Clearly caught up in the moment, she slammed the buzzer, showering Max in golden confetti - despite the fact she had already used her Golden Buzzer this year.
As Max made his way towards the stage, security quickly intervened, moving to block him. But Simon, sensing the moment might be genuine, signalled for them to hold back
Max introduced himself, saying: 'No, I'm a singer, I'm a local singer. My name's Max, Max Fox. I feel like it's my last time' as security tried to intervene
Overwhelmed, Amanda repeatedly apologised for the rule break in pressing the Golden Buzzer twice as she confessed she might be in 'trouble'.
She admitted: 'I'm just going to say, I've already pressed my golden buzzer, so I'm in a lot of trouble because that's my second golden buzzer!'
Max, clearly emotional, exclaimed: 'I just can't believe it! It's the greatest day of my life.'
Each judge - along with hosts Ant and Dec - is typically only allowed one Golden Buzzer each during auditions.
The unexpected audition has prompted speculation from fans that the moment was 'staged' as they complained that the show was a 'fix'.
However, Simon has strongly denied the claims - even offering to take a lie detector test.
The music mogul defended the authenticity of the audition, saying he had no prior knowledge of Max's plans.
He told the Mirror: 'I think I should be wired to a lie detector machine in the future to prove I'm speaking the truth because when something like this happens people instantly shout fix.
Max delivered a powerful rendition of Frank Sinatra's My Way, earning a standing ovation in a moving moment
The audience erupted in applause, chanting for the Golden Buzzer - and Amanda didn't hesitate, slamming the buzzer, showering Max in golden confetti
He continued: 'In this case do you really think I could be bothered to plant someone in the audience? No. But that's exactly what happened.'
It's the first time an audience member on the show has called out for an audition and been allowed to try their luck.
Simon also added that he knew the moment was genuine based on how security responded when Max stood up.
He recalled: 'I knew it was genuine because of the way the security team reacted. He looked like he was going to try and break onto the stage or get to me.'
Speaking after his audition, Max has told how he was inspired to try his luck at the auditions by his late grandad, who died seven years ago.
In a touching tribute to his beloved family member, Max even sang the very same song he did at his funeral for his audition.
He told The Mirror: 'My grandad was egging me on in my mind. He always believed in me. He was a bit of a chancer as well – I definitely have his genes.
'I really believe he helped make this happen. I sang My Way at his funeral. It felt right.'
Overwhelmed, Amanda repeatedly apologised, saying: 'Sorry, sorry, sorry!' before admitting that she was going to be in a 'lot of trouble' as it was her second Golden Buzzer in a rule break
Max admitted he has been trying to get on the talent show since he was 16 years old and it took him 19 years to final sing on the programme and get his Golden Buzzer.
In another first for the series, it was announced this week that the Golden Buzzer will be making an appearance during the live rounds for the very first time.
One judge - or Ant and Dec - will have the power to send an act straight through to the grand finale each week, giving them a shot at the £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the Royal Variety Performance lineup.
From next weekend (April 26), eight acts will perform each Saturday, with the public voting for their favourite to go through to the final. The Golden Buzzer will now serve as an additional game-changing twist in the live shows.
Britain's Got Talent airs on ITV and ITVX every Saturday evening.
