Spellbinding: Spellbound voted into final of Britain's Got Talent Pic: Ken McKay / Talkback Thames / Rex Features
Spelbound certainly cast a spell on the Britain’s Got Talent judges, audience and viewers tonight as the gymnastic troupe became the first act voted through to Saturday’s live final.
The 13 members of Spelbound; Adam McAssey 20, Adam Buckingham 21, Alex Uttley 24, Jonathan Stranks 15, Douglas Fordyce 19, Edward Upcott 18, Nicholas Illingworth 24, Katie Axten 17, Leighanne Cowler 18, Lauren Kemp 17, Hollianne Wood 13, Abigail Ralph 15 and Amy Mackenzie 12, had been practicing like crazy to ensure their performance in the live semi-final was just right… and they did not disappoint.
The talented acrobats from Ashford in Middlesex have been training since they were four years old and tonight, got one step closer to realising their dream of performing for the Royal family at the Royal Variety Performance and getting their hands on the £100,000 prize money.
They performed incredible lifts, throws and gymnastic moves choreographed to perfection to a dramatic movie soundtrack. Dressed in costumes that resembled fire and ice, the troupe wowed with an extremely skilled, slick performance much to the judges delight.
Piers Morgan said: "That was one of the most extraordinary routines. Could we imagine you gracing the Royal Variety show? In your case, absolutely."
Amanda Holden agreed saying: "You would be fantastic ambassadors for Great Britain. It was high voltage excellence."
Simon Cowell was also impressed telling Spelbound: "I have never seen anything like this in this country... I agree with the guys, this is what this show is all about it’s finding undiscovered talent and that’s what you are. Absolutely super."
SIMPLY SPELBINDING
- Watch the semi-final now on the STV Player
- What the judges made of the first semi-final
- Tobias Mead is second act through
Spelbound beat off competition from other semi-finalists Sean Sheehan, Scots regurgitator Stevie Starr, cruise ship entertainer Martin Cobble, Bollywood dancer group Threebee and singers Olivia Archbold and Josh Barry. Dancer Tobias Mead will join Spelbound in the final after being put through by the judges.
The young gymnasts have also taken the US by storm earning an appearance in American magazine Entertainment Weekly where the journalists described the groups’ performance as "jaw dropping."
The feature said: "If you've yet to see Spelbound, the gymnastics group that rocked Britain's Got Talent - including judge Simon Cowell - you'll want to watch the clip.
“They range in age from 12 to 24, have killer abs, propel each other into the air and across the stage, balance themselves on one hand on each other's heads, and swing one girl like a skipping rope."
The only negative criticism came when they described their pale British skin as "pasty".
Time to dig out the fake tan and get ready for the final. Do you think Spelbound can win Britain’s Got Talent? Did they deserve to go through tonight? Use our comment system to tell us who you think should win.
