Bruce Forsyth: Children 'too young' for talent shows

Sir Bruce Forsyth says that some children are too young to be on reality shows like Britain's Got Talent.

Last year the show was criticised after a contestant broke down in tears.

A spokesperson said at the time that the show had "stringent procedures" to look after young acts.

In a 5 live interview, the Strictly Come Dancing host said: "The thing I objected to is that I don't think they should get young children and put them through such an emotional thing."

Age limits on reality shows vary. In series four of The X Factor in 2007, the minimum age was lowered to 14 from 16 but that was reversed back to 16 in series seven in 2010.

Britain's Got Talent contestants under the age of 18 are allowed to compete if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian to the audition.

Sir Bruce Forsyth, 85, thinks there could be a separate show for younger contestants.

Jack Duff, 13, and Cormac Connell, 14, are through to the BGT semi-finals

"[Why not] have a children's Britain's Got Talent and let all children be in it? There's nothing wrong with that at all," he said on Richard Bacon's show.

"I think to put them on at that time of the evening with millions and millions of people watching and the emotion and the great big theatre could be, maybe, a bit disastrous for a child and it would be a memory that would not do them a lot of good."

During Tuesday night's show, Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell had a few swipes at Sir Bruce Forsyth after his interview on BBC 5 live.

After Essex dance troupe Youth Creation appeared on stage, he said: "Someone, Mr Grumpy, said we shouldn't have children your age on the show. So what do you think? Yes or no you should be here?"

He then had a dig at Sir Bruce Forsyth after 11-year-old Arisxandra Libantino was given a standing ovation for her Whitney Houston cover.

"I think it was one of the best performances of the night and I'd like to dedicate this one to Bruce," he said.

Some people also criticised the show after 10-year-old Hollie Steel cried on stage when she forgot her words during a semi-final of Britain's Got Talent in 2009.

A Britain's Got Talent spokesperson said in a statement last year after nine-year-old Malaki Paul broke down in tears: "Many people will have felt uncomfortable to see a young child under so much pressure.

"The welfare of the child must always come ahead of the drive for ratings."

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