Following on from the Auto-Tune controversy on Simon Cowell’s other reality show The X Factor, it has been claimed that Susan Boyle’s originally Britain’s Got Talent audition was digitally altered in post-production before being aired in the spring of 2009, making her an overnight global star.

An insider told London’s Evening Standard: “The exact same techniques are used on Britain’s Got Talent as on The X Factor — it’s the same production team. The sounds are cleaned up — it’s an open secret and an industry standard.

“This goes for everyone — even Susan Boyle’s audition was smoothed out in post-production to give it the best possible sound.”

A spokeswoman for Talkback Thames, producer of both shows, confirmed to the publication: “In line with standard television practice, sound filtering technology has been used on Britain’s Got Talent on our pre-recorded shows, but this does not unfairly reflect any singer’s performance.

“The performance shown on screen is a fair reflection of performance given in the live theatre. Judges make their decision based on that live performance.”