Outraged Britain's Got Talent viewers slam 'creepy' Declan Donnelly after he describes girl group Zyrah Rose as 'touchable' during live semi final

Britain's Got Talent fans have hit out at the ITV show's host Declan Donnelly following a crude comment directed toward girl band Zyrah Rose.

The presenter quipped that the four-piece group looked 'touchable' during Tuesday night's live semi final.

The remark prompted a storm of outraged comments on Twitter, with viewers branding the 40-year-old star 'creepy'. 

'Creepy': Britain's Got Talent fans have hit out at the ITV show's host Declan Donnelly following his comment on girl band Zyrah Rose during Tuesday night's live semi final

'Creepy': Britain's Got Talent fans have hit out at the ITV show's host Declan Donnelly following his comment on girl band Zyrah Rose during Tuesday night's live semi final

Dec made the comment after judge Simon Cowell branded the group 'untouchable' during critique of their semi final performance.

As he moved on to the next link with co-host Ant, Dec quipped: 'They don't look untouchable to me – in fact they look very touchable to me.'

Meanwhile David Walliams and Simon compared the girl group to food, after Simon told them there was 'a slight image issue with you which is making you look a little bit untouchable.'

See Britain's Got Talent 2016 updates as viewers hit out at Declan Donnelly

Performance: Dec, 40, made the comment after judge Simon Cowell branded the girl group 'untouchable' during critique of their semi final performance

Performance: Dec, 40, made the comment after judge Simon Cowell branded the girl group 'untouchable' during critique of their semi final performance

David interjected and asked: 'Why is that a bad thing?'

'I’ll tell you why. You are caviar and a lot of people like spaghetti bolognese. So we have to turn you into spaghetti bolognese that can sing,' Simon said, while David joked: 'I think they are like a lovely lasagne'.

Fans were quick to criticise the comments, with one tweeter posting: 'Still creeped out by the consumable and touchable remarks to Zyrah Rose from Simon, Ant and Dec.'

Too far: One viewer took issue with both Dec's comments and judges Simon Cowell and David Walliams' comparison of the girl group to food

Too far: One viewer took issue with both Dec's comments and judges Simon Cowell and David Walliams' comparison of the girl group to food

All about the talent: Another wanted the judges to focus on the band's performance not their looks

All about the talent: Another wanted the judges to focus on the band's performance not their looks

Creeped out: Beth Neil was shocked by the long-time host of BGT's crude comment

Creeped out: Beth Neil was shocked by the long-time host of BGT's crude comment

Foodie: Other viewers hit back at Cowell's criticism that the group needed an image overhaul 

Foodie: Other viewers hit back at Cowell's criticism that the group needed an image overhaul 

Another singled out Dec, tweeting: 'Oh. Dec getting letchy...just NO,' while a female fan pointed out:

'What on Earth did Dec just saw about Zyrah Rose? If we have to be fixated on their looks, lets not announce how touchable they are.' 

Zyrah Rose, made up of Christine (25), Kara (28), Charlotte (28) and Emily (29), impressed the judges with their version of Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain.

The group lost out on a spot in the final of this year's contest though with magician Richard Jones and Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer act Boogie Storm going through to Saturday's finale.   

Having their say: The girl group took the food comments in good humour, hitting back on Twitter 

Having their say: The girl group took the food comments in good humour, hitting back on Twitter 

Putting on a show: Zyrah Rose, made up of Christine (25), Kara (28), Charlotte (28) and Emily (29), impressed the judges with their version of Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain

Putting on a show: Zyrah Rose, made up of Christine (25), Kara (28), Charlotte (28) and Emily (29), impressed the judges with their version of Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain

Hosts: Dec made the comment as he moved onto the next link with co-host Ant, quipping: 'They don't look untouchable to me – in fact they look very touchable to me'

Hosts: Dec made the comment as he moved onto the next link with co-host Ant, quipping: 'They don't look untouchable to me – in fact they look very touchable to me'

End of the road: The group lost out on a spot in the final of this year's contest with magician Richard Jones and Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer act Boogie Storm going through to Saturday's finale

End of the road: The group lost out on a spot in the final of this year's contest with magician Richard Jones and Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer act Boogie Storm going through to Saturday's finale

After weeks of searching, the Britain's Got Talent judges - Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and David Walliams - finally whittled down 200 potential acts to 45 who have been taking to the stage all week for the live semi-finals.

On Sunday night's show, the 100 Voices Of Gospel choir and mother-son singing duo Mel and Jamie made it through to the live final.

They will be joined by Monday's champions, sword swallower Alex Magala and singer Wayne Woodward. 

Having their say: David and Simon launched into a discussion where they compared the group to food
Having their say: David and Simon launched into a discussion where they compared the group to food

Having their say: David and Simon launched into a discussion where they compared the group to food

Talented: Zyrah Rose's members include a dance teacher, a teacher, and a waitress/singer

Talented: Zyrah Rose's members include a dance teacher, a teacher, and a waitress/singer

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now