Tomorrow night, millions will see The Vardanyan Brothers perform balancing stunts in the live semi-finals.
But we can reveal they are members of Sochi Circus which still uses animals.
Gevorg and Andranik Vardanyan, from Armenia, appear alongside bears, horses and tigers in the big top’s official poster. And in pictures from the stage show, it is clear that carnival bosses have muzzled their bears and made them ride on the backs of horses.
Animal rights group PETA has blasted the circus. Director Elisa Allen said: “Circus Sochi still cages bears, deprives them of everything that’s natural and important to them, trains them through violence and fear, and forces them to perform painful and demeaning stunts.
“They need to get with the times and drop the animal acts”
Elisa Allen
“They need to get with the times and drop the animal acts.”
The news will shock TV boss Simon Cowell, a huge animal welfare supporter.
Last night a source said: “Simon was completely unaware of this.”
A BGT spokesperson said: “Britain’s Got Talent is completely and totally committed to the highest standards of animal welfare.
“The Vardanyan Brothers have assured production staff that they have never taken part in an act that has mistreated animals.”
The revelation emerged as Britain’s Got Talent’s live semi-finals got under way tonight. Judge Alesha Dixon, revealed she is pregnant with her second child, by showing off her baby bump.
Flakefleet Primary School’s singers and dog magic act Dave And Fin won through to Sunday’s final.
But bosses will be bracing themselves for complaints after judge Amanda Holden shrieked out the F-word when she was spooked by magic act The Haunting.
