One of the favourites to go into the Britain's Got Talent final, Hollie Steel from Accrington, broke down in front of the audience during her live semi-final performance.
Hollie appeared confident as she began to perform Edelweiss from The Sound of Music. Wearing a baby pink dress, she sang the first part without a wobble, but then appeared to forget her words. A brief moment of tears passed quickly, she recovered and then continued with the song.
But shortly after she went quiet again. The audience began to sing along to the well-known melody - but it all got too much for Hollie and she broke down in tears. Judge Amanda Holden went forward to comfort her and Hollie's mother also went to the stage to reassure her daughter. The performance stopped and then Hollie begged to be allowed to start again. Show host Ant McPartlin was told by producers that there would not be time for a repeat performance in the live show, but show boss Simon Cowell promised a tearful Hollie that she would be allowed to try again.
After a commercial break, Hollie returned to the stage and, apart from a few wobbles, made it to the end of her performance.
The judges were full of praise for the ten-year-old. Simon Cowell described her as "the bravest girl in the world." He told Hollie that she "nailed the last note." Piers Morgan said, "it was one of the gutsiest things I've ever seen in my life." Amanda Holden described Hollie as "a little professional."
The public decided that Hollie was indeed brave and deserved a place in tomorrow night's grand final. She was voted into second or third position - after street dancer Aidan Davis received the highest number of votes - along with singer Greg Pritchard. The three judges unanimously decided that Hollie should perform in the final. How she will cope with the pressure next time remains to be seen.
Watch the Britain's Got Talent live final on STV tomorrow night from 6.45pm, with the live result show at 9.30pm.
