That's hardly toning it down! Burlesque dancer Beatrix Von Bourbon whips her top off on Britain's Got Talent pre-watershed... despite Ofcom warning
By HOLLY THOMAS and LIZ THOMAS
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So there was some question as to whether Britain's Got Talent hopeful Beatrix Von Bourbon - real name Stephanie Brooks - would tone down her act for the semi-final and appear prior to 9pm.
But the 28-year-old cultural studies graduate stayed true to her art, even getting topless on stage and protecting her modesty with the help of two huge feather fans at 8.30pm.
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'Class act'? Burlesque artist Beatrix Von Bourbon performed another sexy dance on tonight's Britain's Got Talent, despite Ofcom warnings
Far from ruffling the the judges' feathers, Beatrix's saucy act appeared to leave them wanting more.
The dancer began her act dressed in a purple gown which was soon peeled off along with her gloves, exposing a flesh bra and tiny shorts.
She delivered a lavish 1940s inspired striptease to the song Fever which saw her end the act in just a pair of tiny nude-coloured shorts.
David started off the critique saying to Dec (who had covered a topless Beatrix with a feather muff after her performance): 'What a gentleman you are, to get so close to a naked lady!'
He continued: 'When I first saw you, I must say I didn't get it, I thought it was like stripping without the really good bit at the end. Tonight I saw the artistry in what you do. I really admired it.'
Left them wanting more: Far from ruffling the the judges' feathers, Beatrix's saucy act appeared to leave them wanting more
Alesha added: 'I agree with David. When I first saw you I wanted to see more. I think people won't want to like you, but you are a class act, and I like the way you present yourself.'
'But I was waiting for something else and it didn't happen. I wanted to be wowed. I wanted to see more - probably for all the wrong reasons!'
Agreeing, Amanda said: 'I wanted to see more of you, so I was a little disappointed. But I love your purple muff!'
More than meets the eye: The judges said they admired the artistry of Beatrix's act
Laughing, Simon finished: 'This is so uncomfortable, but you've put a smile on little Dec's face.
'I don't know much about this area, but I thought that was good. I don't think you'll make it to the final.'
Dec encouragingly added: Well, I enjoyed it!
Simon's prediction proved accurate, and Beatrix's BGT dream ended tonight.
'I want every single element of what I do to have grace,' she said.
Period feel: Beatrix said that she aimed to provide a 1940s -style spectacle
Miss Von Bourbon had male judges Simon and David drooling after her provocative audition in London, which ended in her just wearing a gold thong and nipple tassels.
A visibly enamoured Cowell called Beatrix the 'British version of Dita Von Teese' and backed her.
However shortly after the audition aired, a public outcry cause Ofcom to look into Miss Von Bourbon's semi-nudity airing ahead of the 9pm watershed
More than 70 viewers complained it was unsuitable for a family show watched by millions of children.
Didn't make the cut: Sadly Beatrix's performance wasn't quite enough to secure her a place in the final
An Ofcom spokesman said at the time: 'The viewers who complained to us said the burlesque performer went on before the 9pm watershed and that it was inappropriate scheduling as children would have been watching.'
But an ITV spokesman countered: 'Beatrix’s stylised burlesque performance was carefully edited to ensure it was suitable.'
In that routine she initially wore a red vintage style skirt suit with gold heels before undressing to a thong and corset that revealed her breasts.
Ofcom is still assessing whether the first performance breached broadcasting codes, which stipulates networks and producers have a duty to protect children from 'material that is unsuitable for them'.
ITV did make some attempt to cover her up by superimposing stars in an effort not to offend viewers at home.
No complaints here! There were certainly no bids for Beatrix to cover up from the judges' panel
The regulator has already hauled in broadcasters to discuss ensuring guidelines on what can be broadcast before the watershed are followed.
The meeting came after 4,500 complaints to ITV and the media regulator about raunchy and lewd performances by pop stars Rihanna and Christina Aguilera on Cowell's other show The X Factor.
At the time it cleared the programme of breaching the broadcasting code but warned the scenes were 'at the limit' of acceptability for broadcast before 9pm for a family audience.
Ahead of her performance tonight, Beatrix defended her art, insisting it was suitable for the Royal Variety Performance.
'I'm determined to help burlesque become accepted as a genuine art-form.
First time around: Beatrix's modesty was protected by a pair of gold stars at the auditions stage
'It's often ridiculed as a form of therapy for people with body-issues, or as an 'acceptable' alternative to lap-dancing for those who derogatorily view stripping as working class and lacking in elegance.
'I wanted to demonstrate that burlesque can be a valid and engaging form of entertainment to a wide audience.
'I'd like to see burlesque break out of its confines,' she added. 'While its roots are in live cabaret, I'd love to see more burlesque on TV, or as a speciality act within more varied line-ups.
'I'd like to see burlesque gain new fans.'
A spokesperson for BGT is yet to respond to Mail Online's request for comment.
Singer Sam Kelly, 19, won the public vote, securing his place in the final and young dance act Nu Sxool were chose over nine-year-old Malaki Paul by the judges to appear on Sunday's final.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2142126/Britains-Got-Talent-2012-Beatrix-Von-Bourbon-whips-following-Ofcom-warning.html#ixzz1uSW48Ocx