Egg-hurling BGT violinist ‘did it for Susan Boyle’

Susan Boyle wowed judges with her audition - but Natalie Holt claims she was 'dumped on the scrap heap.' Picture: Complimentary

Natalie Holt had been performing in a backing group for singing brothers Richard and Adam, whose performance she interrupted to throw eggs at Cowell as a protest about his influence on the music industry.

She also claimed the runners-up from last year, Jonathan and Charlotte, had been ‘ruined’ by the show. A source told The Sun that the musician referred to the poor treatment Susan Boyle and Jonathan and Charlotte had received, but ‘didn’t know what to say’ when it was pointed out that the Scots singer is a millionaire, and last year’s duo have just signed a seven-figure music deal.

Holt has however offered to pay Cowell’s cleaning bill but said she was not sorry for attacking him.

In an opinion piece for The Guardian’s website, she revealed she had hidden her weapons by tucking them into her tights and had hoped to make him “look a bit silly”.

She wrote: “As an act of goodwill, I would also be happy to offer to pay his dry cleaning bill or buy him a new shirt, maybe with a few more buttons at the top.”

Holt said she was grateful the show boss was not pressing charges but added she had been warned her actions might have “more serious consequences” for her.

She said she had already had some future work cancelled as a result and was being portrayed as someone who was “unhinged”.

“I’m not. I did what I did out of meaningful consideration; I did it because I care, not because I do not,” Holt added.

She reiterated her apology to singing brothers Richard and Adam, whose performance she disrupted, and said she had planned to wait until the end but went early due to nerves.

Holt said: “I sincerely apologise for overshadowing their moment and to anyone watching and in the live audience who felt that their evening’s entertainment was marred, or even ruined. However, I am not sorry for pelting Simon Cowell with eggs.”

She pointed out she launched her “non-violent, egg-based protest because I think Cowell has too much power and influence in the entertainment industry”.

“I also just wanted to make him look a bit silly. I hoped it would come across as a British panto-style jape, which might also generate some more serious debate,” she added.

“Reality TV talent shows are not the way to discover the next Beatles, or to nurture talented musicians and entertainers. The people who seem to benefit most from talent shows are the judges.”

Holt said she had received messages of support from notable musicians but they were not willing to go public because people were scared to stand up “to people like Cowell”.

Writing in the Guardian’s Comment Is Free section, she explained: “Given that I had been asked to mime on stage, it was not difficult for me to put down my violin and pull the organic eggs out of my tights, and take a direct shot at Cowell.”

The series was won by Hungarian shadow dancing troupe Attraction.