Hard to swallow: Find out what the judges thought of the first eight acts in the Britain's Got Talent semi-finals Pic: Ken McKay / Talkback Thames / Rex Features
Spelbound became the first act to be voted through to the Britain’s Got Talent final 2010 after giving an incredible, jaw-dropping, gymnastic performance.
The troupe will be joined in Saturday’s live final by body-popping, street-dancer Tobias Mead who was put through by the judges ahead of singer, Olivia Archbold.
The first semi-final had all the glitz, glamour and gore we have come to know and love from BGT, complete with a new shiny set that’s not too dissimilar from the X Factor stage.
One of the highlights of the night came courtesy of Scots act Stevie Starr who asked to ‘borrow’ Amanda’s engagement ring before swallowing the rock in front of her! Last year’s winner’s Diversity performed a stunning routine giving this year’s hopefuls an example of what they will have to live up too.
We loved it, but what did the judges think of the acts?
ThreeBee were up first dancing to Bollywood versions of Missy Elliott and Stayin’ Alive.
Piers Morgan said: “Well you did take Simon’s advice on board and you did exactly what he told you to do, as he’s obviously the resident Bollywood expert, but he was right. That was brilliant. Unless one of the other acts pulls it out of the bag, you’ve made it through to the final tonight.”
Amanda told them: “It was a brilliant combination of music. I loved the Bucks Fizz moment. To top it off you’re all good looking, which helps. Energetic, colourful, fabulous start to the show.”
Simon Cowell added: “I don’t want to take all the credit for this but I will. It was terrific. You rehearsed hard on it, it was foot perfect. It was a million times better than what we saw before. I agree with Piers, you may have a chance of getting through to the final with that.”
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
Next up was 14 year old Olivia Archbold who sang Kate Winslet’s What If.
Piers said: “It never ceases to amaze me when we get someone your age sing with such maturity, it’s remarkable. To be honest with you, I think I preferred the song you did at your auditions, but I preferred your performance with this song.”
Amanda added: “I enjoyed hearing a different song. It was poppy, it was strong. I thought you looked like a young girl, you haven’t changed from when I first saw you and I liked that .It was a very confident performance you should be proud of yourself.”
Simon praised the young singer’s confidence saying: “This is the first time you’ve sung live like this in front of all these people. I thought you handled your nerves incredibly well. I like this song but I preferred the first song. The key change was tough in this song. It was a strong performance but I preferred your first song.”
All aboard! Kevin Cruise took to the stage and performed a medley of ABBA’s Dancing Queen, a Loose Woman rap / tribute to Jane MacDonald, Aggadoo, Olivia Newton-John’s Physical and finished off with One Moment In Time.
Simon buzzed him.
Piers chuckled: “Oh Kevin, that was just magnificent. Simon will never get this act but you represent every cruise act and the great thing about it is that those two minutes Simon’s never going to get back. It was designed Simon maximum discomfort and I loved it.”
Amanda also loved it telling Kevin: “No such thing as too camp, it’s like saying a diamond is too big. Unadulterated, sheer entertainment. I love you and I want you in the final.”
Simon was not quite as impressed. He said: “I get the fact that the audience like this act but at the half way point I just imagine myself tuning into this by accident and there was you doing Aggaddo and you were trying to get out of your trousers…you’ve kind of have to see it from my point.”
Amanda added: “You’ve done Jane McDonald proud.”
Scottish ‘regurgitator’ Stevie Starr was nxt to show his skills, swallowing a lightbulb, Amanda’s engagement ring and a padlock and key - amazing, but hard to stomach.
Piers Morgan said: “It does make you feel sick but as these two will say, I’ve been doing that on TV for years. I’m sitting two foot away and I have no idea how you did that. It was incredible.”
Amanda, who was still in shock after having to giver over her precious ring, said: “I was so relieved to get my ring back. It’s astonishing what you do. I’m so glad Britain’s Got Talent has given you platform.”
Simon added: “The question is what would you swallow next?”
Much to the delight of females watching, dancer Tobias Mead was next with an impressive routine featuring what appeared to be a floating ball.
Piers said: “I thought that was one of the most creative and inspired dance routines we’ve seen on the show.”
Amanda gushed: “Brilliant, innovative clever, I’d have liked to have seen more on the pole.”
Simon loved it too saying: “You’ve proved to the country that Piers knows nothing about dance. It was really, really smart. You know we have a lot of groups on here but what you did on your own was really creative, I thought it was outstanding.”
Then it was time for Sean Sheehan with his own unique take on Robin Hood – ‘Chopping Wood’… oh dear. Simon and Amanda buzzed Sean but Piers was quite a fan.
He said: “It is dangerous, unpredictable and an element of real ‘what’s gonna happen here, is he going to sever his arm?’ What would the Royal Family think of this? It’s like being at Balmoral on wet Wednesday.”
Amanda wasn’t so keen, saying; “I don’t think you were as accurate with your chopper this time. I felt you were nervous and it was uncomfortable to watch. I missed the country and western music from your first audition.”
Simon questioned Piers comments saying: “I wonder if I’m on the right show at the moment. Seriously Piers…”
Piers retaliated: “Simon, you’ve never chopped wood, he’s the king of kindling…”
Simon replied: “But that’s like saying we could have someone on here that’s good at doing the washing up.”
16 year old teen heartthrob Josh Barry was up next singing Neyo’s Closer.
Piers told the confident young singer: “You’ve got all the credentials of being a popstar but it just wasn’t there for me tonight. I think it may have been nerves, once you got into your stride I enjoyed it.”
Amanda loved Josh saying: “You’re so wrong, I’m thinking the absolute opposite. For me that performance was so natural. You were really cool, wicked, happening…I loved the boxers…I hate this because it’s such a cliché, but you were born to do it.”
Simon agreed with Piers though. “That was a lot, lot better than your first audition. My issue is still your vocals. You have a lot to do, but with hard work it can be sorted out, it’s all there.”
Amanda pledged her allegiance telling Josh: “I can see you at the O2 with crowds of screaming girls.”
Spelbound was the last act to perform… and what a finale.
A stunned Piers said: “Bloody hell! That was one of the most extraordinary routines, the big question at this stage in the competition is this could we imagine you gracing the stage at the Royal Variety Performance? The answer is yes.”
Amanda was equally impressed telling the gymnasts: “Fantastic ambassadors for Britain’s Got Talent. High voltage excellence.”
Simon sealed the deal by telling them: “I’ve never seen anything in this country as good as this and, to credit the guy who put this together, the details is incredible. This is what this show is all about - finding undiscovered talent and you are that.”
We can’t wait for tomorrows show now! Missed the first semi-final or want to relive the magic? You can watch it now on the STV Player.
