Simon Cowell apologises for scared puppies on BGMT

Simon Cowell kissing a puppyITV/Syco

Britain's Got More Talent was under fire last night from viewers after producers used puppies as prizes on the ITV2 show.

Stephen Mulhern hosted a quiz between judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams.

For every question a judge got right, they would win a puppy.

Viewers complained that the puppies looked visibly shook and scared on the live set with a loud audience, bright lights and commotion.

BGT boss Cowell put a stop to the quiz saying, "This one is frightened. I'm going to put this one down."

Viewers were upset after puppies were brought into the loud studio

Simon walked the puppy off set to quieter grounds. Amanda Holden admitted on the programme that her puppy was scared too.

David Walliams was the only judge not to win a puppy as the other three judges won several puppies.

Simon tweeted last night saying he didn't know anything about the puppy segment and an item like this won't be repeated.

Stephen Mulhern apologised to viewers at the at the end of the show:

"Very quickly, I'd like to apologise if we upset anybody with the puppies.

"Obviously that wasn't our intention in anyway shape or form.

"So if we have upset you in anyway I do apologise on behalf of Britain's Got More Talent."

Cowell is a self confessed animal lover and has said on BGT in the past that he would love to find a talking dog.

Newsbeat has contacted Syco Entertainment, Thames and Freemantle for comment and awaits a response.

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