A Saudi Arabian version of Simon Cowell’s Got Talent series has banned women from competing in the contest, insisting that only men can compete. Contestants are also not allowed to sing or dance in the show.
The programme, Buraidah’s Got Talent, has an all-male judging panel which includes a poet and a TV producer.
The show takes place in an outdoor arena where contestants are encouraged to demonstrate their religious chanting skills, perform poetry recitals and show off their sporting prowess, in dedication to Allah and the Koran.
Media mogul Simon Cowell is said to be unaware of this version of the show, despite endorsing 39 other international spin-offs of the original Britain’s Got Talent format. His spokesperson told The Sun, “This programme has nothing to do with Syco [Simon's management company] or Simon.”
Meanwhile in this UK, Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashley and Pudsey look set to write a book about the life of the loveable canine, released by Orion books.
Ashley and Pudsey perform for the Queen
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