Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell was on hand to welcome 2023 winner Viggo Venn to the Royal Variety Performance stage but viewers were distracted by his appearance

Simon Cowell distracted Royal Variety Performance viewers as he made his annual appearance on stage.

The 64-year-old music mogul appeared at the Royal Albert Hall to introduce Britain’s Got Talent 2023 winner Viggo Venn. However, fans watching at home were more distracted by his latest look.

Before welcoming the comedian onto the stage, Simon opened up about being a judge on the talent show while wearing a pair of sunglasses with tinted orange glasses.

READ MORE: Want more showbiz? Daily Star has just the thing for you!

READ MORE: Want more TV? Daily Star has just the thing for you!

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: “Simon and his lucozade glasses.” A second added: “Oh hell Mr. Simon Cowell.” A third person wrote: “Oh wow Simon Cowell has turned into George Michael.” A fourth social media user typed: “Simon Cowell with his best George Michael impression.” A fifth said: “Is it me, or does Simon Cowell look like a ventriloquist doll?” Another typed: “Simon Cowell looked very thin.”

Simon Cowell distracted Royal Variety Performance viewers with his bold fashion choice. (Image: ITV)
Despite being branded “the most stupid act we’ve had this year” by Simon, the 34-year-old Norwegian comic waltzed off with the £250,000 prize money and coveted spot to perform in front of William and Kate at the Royal Albert Hall.

Certainly one of the most unique acts to ever appear on the ITV talent show, Viggo won a standing ovation for his first performance which saw him dance along to the Daft Punk hit One More Time as he removed a seemingly never ending array of hi-vis vests.

The graduate from French clown school École Philippe Gaulier later had the judges in stitches in the semi-finals when he recorded them saying their names on a loop to Eminem’s Slim Shady. He went on to beat magician Cillian O’Connor andacrobatic dancer Lilliana Clifton in the final, claiming the top prize. Despite winning BGT, fans didn’t seem happy.

Viggo Venn won BGT earlier this year
to give their thoughts. One even claimed: “By a stretch, that is the worst Britain’s Got Talent result EVER. If that really is genuine, then the British voting public should be ashamed and embarrassed. Booing from the audience, and rightly so. Some real talent missed out there. Joke. #BGT2023 #BritainsGotTalent #BGT.”

Some fans were so annoyed Viggo had won, they complained to regulator Ofcom despite it being a public vote. He later admitted he was “embarrassed” to win the show as he reacted to the booing controversy – but declared that it’s “not his fault”. He said: “I was kinda hoping I didn’t win because it would be so embarrassing, but I was very happy when they said it the British public have such sense of ridiculous humour.”

Bradley Walsh hosted the Royal Variety Performance 2023 (Image: ITV)
Ahead of his Royal Variety Performance, Viggo revealed he plans to take revenge on Simon Cowell after winning Britain’s Got Talent. Opening up about his scheme to make Simon squirm, he said: “I’m going to audition for BGT again next year, just to see Simon’s face ‘One! More! Time!’