Legal action: Madonna impersonator Philip Grimmer is suing Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent is being sued for£250,000 by a Madonna impersonator claiming Simon Cowell's jibes have ruined his life.
Philip Grimmer, who reached the semi-finals this year, accuses the show of discrimination over a disability and the fact that he was introduced as a drag queen.
The 57-year-old gyrated to Madonna's dance track Hung Up in a purple leotard, knee-high boots and blonde wig.
Cowell called him a 'hard of hearing and short-sighted Madonna'. Mr Grimmer is partially deaf and short sighted. Cowell also said the act was 'monstrous' and ' horrendous' , adding: 'Madonna at 95 would look better and dance better than you.'
Mr Grimmer, a married father-of-one, claims hosts Ant and Dec introduced him as a 'successful drag queen' and a 'man who likes dressing up as women', when he is simply a Madonna impersonator.
He claims that some family and friends could now mistake him for a gay cross-dresser.
Mr Grimmer is suing the ITV show on the grounds of disability, sexual orientation, age and sex bias.
He is demanding £250,000 for lost earnings and injury to feelings.
By contrast, Lady Gaga impersonator Max Oliver - a 21-year-old, gay cross-dresser - received no jibes about his sexuality on the show, Mr Grimmer says.
Cowell branded Mr Grimmer's tribute act 'monstrous' and 'horrendous' Mr Grimmer, who crashed out of this year's contest in the semi-final, says that he was deprived of the chance of winning £100,000 in the final.
He says that he also missed out on going on the post-final BGT tour and landing lucrative showbiz deals.
In legal papers submitted to Central London Employment tribunal, Mr Grimmer says that his disability discrimination claim mirrors that of fellow BGT reject Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai.
Miss Czikai, 54, is suing for £2.5 million, alleging that she was ridiculed by Cowell even though she told producers her medical condition had affected her audition.
The former nurse complains that Cowell told her she had a 'horrible singing voice' In the legal papers, Mr Grimmer accuses show chiefs, Cowell and Ant and Dec of 'prejudice'.
He says: 'I was discriminated against by Simon Cowell and the two presenters Ant and Dec and by one of the assistant producers.
'I was singled out by these persons and received unfair and worse treatment and comments on the live TV show than other contestants based on abusive and possibly defamatory remarks.
'The comments have damaged my good reputation and have stopped me obtaining employment.' Mr Grimmer alleges that Cowell discriminated against him by poking fun at his disability.
He complains that Cowell insulted him on the live show by saying 'I have no idea whatsoever what he is going to do but I know it will be monstrous'.
Mr Grimmer says he made it clear on his application form that he was a 'female impressionist' only to be portrayed as a transvestite on the show.
He says: 'I am therefore claiming that I was discriminated against by Simon Cowell and the persons mentioned.'
He says of Ant and Dec referring to him as a cross-dresser: 'It could imply it is something I normally do, not just for my act, which is detrimental to my character.'
He adds: 'Most drag queens are considered to be gay and I am not gay at all.'
He says: 'I feel I was singled out and received unfair and detrimental comments that did not portray me as who I really am, so damaging my reputation with people that know me personally.'
Speaking today, Mr Grimmer vowed: 'This is David against Goliath. Madonna against Simon Cowell.
'I will take this all the way and Simon Cowell will long remember the day I was on the show.
'I just went on to do a fun act and he was brutal.' Syco TV denies all Mr Grimmer's claims of discrimination and is vigorously defending his case, which is due to be heard later this year.
Syco spokeswoman Ann-Marie Thomson declined to comment on the case.
But a show source said they were 'surprised' by Philip's fury.
They said: 'He never said anything at the time and enjoyed being on the show. He even asked for his costume to take home with him.
The case comes after Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai, 54, launched action against the show, claiming she was 'humiliated and degraded'.
source :dailymail