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Police alert over TV contestant | Police alert over TV contestant |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A contestant on ITV's Britain's Got Talent show has been withdrawn after police alerted producers that he was on the sex offenders' register. | |
Lancashire Police contacted ITV after being made aware that Richard Bates, 27, of Blackpool, was taking part in the variety talent show. | Lancashire Police contacted ITV after being made aware that Richard Bates, 27, of Blackpool, was taking part in the variety talent show. |
A police spokesman said there were concerns the programme might be seen by the victim or the victim's family. | |
The Home Office said Bates would be removed from the register next month. | |
A spokesman said he was placed on the sex offenders' register and given a two-year conditional discharge when he was sentenced at Preston Crown Court in December 2005. | |
No further details of the offence have been given. | |
An ITV spokeswoman confirmed that the impressionist had agreed with producers to step down from the competition. | An ITV spokeswoman confirmed that the impressionist had agreed with producers to step down from the competition. |
'In no-one's interest' | 'In no-one's interest' |
A police spokesman said: "There were concerns that with him being on the programme he might be seen by his victim or the victim's family and there would be consequences from that. | A police spokesman said: "There were concerns that with him being on the programme he might be seen by his victim or the victim's family and there would be consequences from that. |
"Lancashire Police spoke with the producers and suggested that it would not be in anyone's interests for him to continue with the programme." | "Lancashire Police spoke with the producers and suggested that it would not be in anyone's interests for him to continue with the programme." |
The final of Britain's Got Talent, in which Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan act as judges, will be held on Sunday. | The final of Britain's Got Talent, in which Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan act as judges, will be held on Sunday. |
The show has proved a ratings success for ITV, with audience figures steadily rising during its week-long run. Friday's episode was watched by an average of 8.9 million people. | The show has proved a ratings success for ITV, with audience figures steadily rising during its week-long run. Friday's episode was watched by an average of 8.9 million people. |
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