Employment Law Advocates » Blog Archive » More on Britain’s Got Talent

Although most of the media did not pick up on the case until last week, now that it has been listed for a pre-hearing review, it turns out that Emma Czikai’s claim was lodged in January. A report in the Guardian gives an insight into the argument being run about employment status, based around the national tour which takes place after the end of each series. The participants are paid to take part in the tour although not much, according to one account. However, the really interesting question is whether employment for the purposes of the tour can be linked to the audition. It appears that contestants are not obliged to take part in the tour (indeed, Susan Boyle pulled out of several dates last year) but the restrictive convenant conveniently covers the period in which the tour takes place so, if they do choose not to perform, they are unable to work at all. Under the circumstances, it is hard to see how there is no mutality of obligations.