Virgin Radio
28 May 2024, 09:54
Credit: Rex
The first BGT semi-final was a wild ride with jaw-dropping performances and shocking moments. Meet the acts who triumphed in this epic showdown!
Britain's Got Talent kicked off its first semi-final in spectacular style, with judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli returning to sift through the talent and chaos that ensued.
The stage was set for eight acts to perform, each hoping to win over the public and secure a coveted spot in the final.
------------------------------------
DON'T MISS:
The Thursday Murder Club movie: Who is in it? When is it out? Everything we know so far
Millie Bobby Brown ‘secretly marries Jon Bon Jovi’s son Jake Bongiovi in low-key ceremony’ - all the details
Call the Midwife Series 14: Will Helen George return? When will it air? Casting news and more
------------------------------------
The contenders in this talent-packed showdown were Sven Smith, The Trickstars, Trey Braine, Ssaulabi Performance Troupe, Taryn Charles, Bikoon, Stardust, and Innocent Masuku.
But only two could advance, and those lucky stars were Innocent Masuku and Ssaulabi Performance Troupe.
Both acts now have their eyes on the £250,000 prize and a chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
Opera singing powerhouse Innocent Masuku received the highest number of public votes, earning him a straight pass to the final after an unforgettable closing performance.
The South African opera singer, who wowed the judges in his January audition before getting married, declared, 'this is my year' as he secured his spot.
Alesha Dixon lauded him as 'the one to beat,' while Bruno Tonioli praised his act as 'flawless.'
Even Simon Cowell, known for his tough critiques, couldn't hold back his admiration.
"You are incredibly talented," Simon said. "Your control over the song, everything about it for me was immaculate."
Meanwhile, the second finalist was decided by the judges from the top three acts, which included dog act The Trickstars and martial arts marvels Ssaulabi Performance Troupe.
Despite a valiant effort, The Trickstars fell short once again, echoing their fate from 2016.
In a unanimous decision, the judges chose Ssaulabi Performance Troupe, who had trained five hours a day ahead of the live semi-final.
Their breathtaking display of taekwondo, described by Simon as 'a cinematic blockbuster,' left the panel in awe.
Simon gushed: "If that was a movie, that would have taken about a week to shoot literally, it would. And the fact that you did the whole thing live in about two-and-a-half minutes, says everything about you."
High praise from the man himself!
Of course, it wouldn’t be a BGT semi-final without some delightful chaos.
The Trickstars’ Charlie And The Chocolate Factory-themed dance brought a whimsical touch, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges.
Simon acknowledged the improvement over the years, saying: "I genuinely think your act has got better over the years," but it was not to be their night.
Comedian Bikoon! had a rough go, with his 'magic' bag failing multiple times, resulting in red buzzers from Alesha, Bruno, and Amanda.
Even Simon, who held out, was disappointed when the bag revealed a man inside.
Ant McPartlin couldn’t resist a joke, dubbing them a "Japanese Ant and Dec."
Air guitar virtuoso Sven Smith also faced the red buzzer wrath.
Alesha, not impressed, remarked: "Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer a guitar and a microphone," while Amanda questioned his place in the semi-final.
Bruno's Golden Buzzer act, Taryn Charles, fared better with a rendition of Lose Control by Teddy Swims.
Simon praised it as a 'genius choice of song' and called the performance 'beautifully raw.'
However, Duo Stardust, Simon's own Golden Buzzer act, didn't quite hit the mark.
Their roller-skating routine felt overshadowed by production elements, leaving Simon to say: "We lost the focus of you," though Bruno's airborne spin at the end added a thrilling touch.
Young dancer Trey Braine showed potential despite Simon's preference for the first half of his performance.
Simon noted: "You're naturally cool, naturally stylish, I really believe great things are going to happen in your life and your career."
The night also featured a special performance by the cast of Disney's The Lion King, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the beloved film.
It was a magical interlude in an evening filled with excitement, drama, and raw talent.
As we gear up for the next semi-finals, the stage is set for more surprises and sensational performances.
Will there be more jaw-dropping moments? More heartwarming stories? One thing's for sure, Britain’s Got Talent never fails to deliver a rollercoaster of emotions.
Stay tuned as the competition heats up, and let's see who else will join Innocent Masuku and Ssaulabi Performance Troupe in the grand final!
Keep your eyes peeled, as more dreams are set to be made or shattered on the biggest talent stage in the UK.
Who knows, maybe Simon will even crack a smile.
Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals will air each day until Friday at 8pm, with Sunday’s final at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Advertisem*nt
