Britain’s Got Talent winner Jules O’Dwyer and Matisse used stunt double dog in final act

Trainer revealed on Lorraine Kelly’s ITV show that Matisse didn’t actually walk the tightrope
Stunt double: Matisse didn't actually walk the tightrope (Image: ITV)
Ben Travis1 June 2015

While border collie Matisse might have stolen the nation’s hearts with his winning ‘sausage-thief’ routine on Britain’s Got Talent, it has been revealed that the act’s show-stopping moment – which saw Matisse traverse the stage on a tightrope – was actually performed by a stunt double dog.

Speaking on Lorraine Kelly’s ITV show this morning, Jules said: "Matisse is a little bit afraid of heights so although he could officially do it, Chase is the action dog, so he plays the double for him."

The routine cast Matisse as a sausage-stealing canine who evaded Jules’ police officer who was attempting to track him down. It was revealed that Matisse had only stolen the sausages to feed a homeless three-legged dog.

While the performance struck a chord with audiences, many are outraged at feeling duped by the act.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">So Matisse DIDN'T walk the tightrope last night because she's afraid of heights... It was a stunt double! Bit cheeky &amp; misleading. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BGTfinal?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-36436-https://twitter.com/hashtag/BGTfinal?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#BGTfinal</a>— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/elliot_gonzalez/status/605335438384082944" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-36436-https://twitter.com/elliot_gonzalez/status/605335438384082944" data-vars-event-id="c23">June 1, 2015</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">so Matisse didn't actually win BGT because he had a stunt dog climbing across them ropes! FIX— courtney (@courtneyjhudson) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/courtneyjhudson/status/605334113227304961" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-36436-https://twitter.com/courtneyjhudson/status/605334113227304961" data-vars-event-id="c23">June 1, 2015</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I've just been informed that Matisse had a stunt double doing the tightrope walk. Absolutely fuming. I voted for that dog!!!!— Niamh Skinner (@NiamhSkinner) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NiamhSkinner/status/605334766267822080" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-36436-https://twitter.com/NiamhSkinner/status/605334766267822080" data-vars-event-id="c23">June 1, 2015</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">MATISSE DIDN'T TIGHTROPE I FEEL SO BETRAYED— rach (@rachloulovato) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/rachloulovato/status/605346364650831872" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-36436-https://twitter.com/rachloulovato/status/605346364650831872" data-vars-event-id="c23">June 1, 2015</a>

The duo were up against stiff competition, with magician Jamie Raven coming second, and Welsh choir Cor Glanaethwy taking third place.

Britain's Got Talent 2015

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ITV

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