Viggo Venn didn’t expect to win Britain’s Got Talent (Picture: Dymond/Thames/Shutterstock)
Viggo Venn has just been crowned the winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2023, and nobody is more surprised than him.
The comedian only entered the competition as a joke, and it spiraled out of control when the judges and the British public fell for his clownish charm.
‘I never in a million years thought that I was going to get to the final, or even win,’ Viggo told Metro.co.uk.
‘I was doing five-minute open mics, and that’s kind of the length of an audition on Britain’s Got Talent, so I thought it would be funny to enter as a joke. I thought I’d be the first one out.’
For his audition, Viggo performed a striptease, where he continually revealed another layer of high-vis jackets. He planned to go viral for his rejection from the judges.
‘I was wearing a red vest, and I thought it would be funny to bust it out when I got all the red crosses. I thought maybe it could then be a funny clip on the internet.’
Instead, only Simon Cowell clicked the red buzzer, and Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Bruno Tonioli put him through to the next round and of course, he then ended up sailing through the semi-finals and winning the whole show.
‘I felt a bit embarrassed about winning as obviously there are some people who didn’t vote for me.
‘It’s kind of surprising for a clown to win because we’re supposed to lose and lose and lose. It’s our thing, then the one thing I won is Britain’s Got Talent.
‘I’m not complaining though,’ the 33-year-old concluded.
‘I heard I broke a record in the semi-final with 43% of the vote.
‘I’ve been trying not to analyse why I won too much, but I think people needed some joy after difficult times. I’m not political, I don’t bring anything except joy.’
Viggo is trying not to think too deeply about why he won (Picture: Dymond/Thames/Shutterstock)
His complete lack of belief in himself to win was actually the reason he needed to cancel on Lorraine last minute on Tuesday. He was scheduled to be interviewed on her ITV morning chat show, but she announced mid-episode that he wouldn’t be coming.
‘The night after the BGT final I booked in to do a live show at a comedy club in London. I thought it would be hilarious to do my own final after the actual final as a joke,’ he recalled.
‘I honoured the booking even though I did end up winning – some people were shocked I was there. I did a show at 10’o clock on Monday evening, and then I got some chest pain.
‘I needed to have some rest.’
He did arrive at the studio to cause chaos 24 hours later by trying to eat a fake apple instead of answering Lorraine’s questions.
Viggo was eventually able to honour his commitment (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Before taking to the BGT stage, Norwegian Viggo’s biggest gig in the UK was 200 people, and it wasn’t unusual for him to perform to an audience of 14 above a pub. He’s excited that the exposure could lead to more people at his live shows, but his victory hasn’t come without its downsides.
There has been some backlash to Viggo’s win, Ofcom received 116 complaints for the final, and some people took to social media to slam his win.
When we asked Viggo if he’s been hurt by any of the negativity he tells us, ‘I’ve been okay.’
Viggo sweetly says that he understands why people are frustrated: ‘I kind of agree with those people that think other people deserved to win. It might be true. But I’m also happy for those people who found joy in my act.’
Dancer Lillianna Clifton, finished in second place, and magician Cillian O’Connor, placed third.
Viggo gave runner-up Lillianna a hug after his win (Picture: Dymond/Thames/Shutterstock)
He is also keen to point out to us that there’s been plenty of positivity.
‘Thousands of people have sent me videos on Instagram of themselves dancing in their hi-vis jackets. It’s made me laugh. They’ve also told me that I’ve cheered them up in difficult times, so that makes it worth it.’
He’s also received support from the judges – he appeared on Amanda’s Heart radio show – ‘I made her laugh, and she’s got the best laugh,’ and Bruno has already been dishing out the advice – ‘He told me to write a TV show. We’ll see, but not now.’
While Simon Cowell ‘whispered some really nice stuff into my ear,’ Viggo wishes to keep those sentiments secret.
The judges have been supporting Viggo (Picture: Dymond/Thames/Shutterstock)
The prize for winning on BGT is £250,000 and a slot at The Royal Variety Performance.
Viggo already knows how he’s going to spend the cash. ‘High-vis jackets,’ he exclaimed.
Why could he possibly need more? ‘People want them so I keep giving them away. I got to take 20 from the final, and they’re already gone. It brings people so much happiness so I can’t say no. Also, they are very safe.’
Once his fully-stocked up on high-vises he has another item on his shopping list.
‘I want to buy a little clown car. I will use it to travel onto the stage at The Royal Variety Show. That will be amazing. I’ve got a bit of time to come up with the rest of my ideas. When is it? December?’
It’s actually taking place on 30th November, so hopefully, he hasn’t double-booked himself!
Viggo noted that it is quite poetic that he’s going to be performing in the show for King Charles and Queen Camilla, as in medieval times royalty have always had jesters.
‘I’ve heard they’ve got a great sense of humour, they are British after all. That’s what I love about the UK. You were brought up on Monty Python so you appreciate the ridiculousness, but also everyone is smart.’
Viggo was speaking to us in the airport, and as our conversation comes to an end he reaches the front of the queue to board the plane.
‘You’re [UK] much more ridiculous than Norway,’ he tells us just before we say goodbye. ‘They are boring. I’ve got to go cheer them up now.’
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Nobody is more surprised than Viggo Venn.