Viewers had their minds blown after one contestant performed a magic trick that left the judges speechless in the third Britain’s Got Talent semi-final.
Also the magician was FREAKING FANTASTIC. Seriously mind blown by what happened. #BGT
— Bethany ❤️ Jaspar (@bethanycrobbins) May 24, 2016
That magician is unreal😫 #bgt
— 11/04/16 (@hesmyhemmo) May 24, 2016
Richard Jones, 25, who is a soldier in the British Army, performed a trick using judge Amanda Holden’s autobiography.
Before getting into his act, Richard explained: “I just love the look on people’s faces when they see something that shouldn’t be possible. I know the British Army are behind me, I just hope tonight I can conjure up a winning performance.”
STRIKE IT RICH!*
*His name's Rich and he struck a match hahaha!) 🔥 #RichardJones #BGT pic.twitter.com/VyxLVR94MF
— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) May 24, 2016
He asked Amanda to choose a page and a word, and then made that exact page appear as a message in a bottle which had been guarded by Simon Cowell.
Fellow judge David Walliams said: “Well it was absolutely astonishing. We had absolutely no idea how you did that. A brilliantly original trick.”
Richard Jones was the best one on #BGT tonight. He better not come.. pic.twitter.com/gIO5gSDHZP
— Jamie Hough (@jmehough) May 24, 2016
Amanda was also wowed, telling him: “I really really want to see you in the final. You fought for this country. The whole nation is behind you… it’s not a trick, it’s magic.”
Even Simon added: “You, sir, are a wizard. That has to be magic.”
Viewers too, were pretty impressed.
OK, this magician's good. Did a great trick on @GMB today too. #bgt #richard
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 24, 2016
MAGIC MAN TO WIN #BGT
— Natalie Guest (@natalieguest12) May 24, 2016
wow is all i can say after watching @richjonesmagic perform 😮 #BGT
— ️ (@mysteryrauhl) May 24, 2016
#bgt vote Richard.. amazing . Magic !!
— dorothy thorne (@dot1011) May 24, 2016
And they were over the moon when Richard made it through to the finals.
Congrats Richard! So well deserved 👏👏👏 #BGT.
— Rebekah Nicole Allen (@RebekahNicAllen) May 24, 2016
I got goosebumps when they said Richard went through, he's immensely talented. #BGT
— jordan // 15 (@JordanSpence97) May 24, 2016
Richard got through and the polar bears went home. My faith in this programme has been fully restored. #BGT
— Hannah ✿ (@andintothewild) May 24, 2016
Yes Richard!! #BGT
— Michelle [PB] (@mishybabez_) May 24, 2016
Also making it through to the finals was Simon’s Golden Buzzer act Boogie Storm.
The group, featuring disco-dancing Star Wars Stormtroopers, left their top supporter grinning ear-to-ear after their performance.
My new best friends pic.twitter.com/jZ5Fkp0hAi
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) May 24, 2016
After they danced to a medley of Michael Jackson, Sir Tom Jones and even Swan Lake, Simon said: “We are possibly looking at the winners of Britain’s Got Talent 2016.”
Meanwhile, Vadik and the Bear left judges (and the internet!) divided at the audition stage.
I have no words #BGT
— Matt Loved GWT (@unitedmixer89) May 24, 2016
Well, I've seen everything now 😂😂😂 #bgt
— David (@DC94__) May 24, 2016
The act featured Vadik the clown and a bunch of large cuddly dancing polar bears.
Judge Alesha Dixon had warned: “Do you know what, we don’t want to use our buzzers. But I hear there’s a polar bear tonight.”
Talk about a winter wonderland �� #VadikAndTheBear #BGT pic.twitter.com/IBzKgqhLfx"
— Britain's Got Talent (@talent_britain) May 24, 2016
Alesha then used her buzzer when Vadik was joined by a grand total of six bears on stage – as well as a large penguin holding a fish.
The group danced to a medley of Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Ice Ice Baby, and Can’t Touch This.
This one's getting my vote 😀 #VadikandTheBear #BGT
— Rebecca Miller (@Beckie_Miller_) May 24, 2016
If those Polar Bears don't get through I'll eat my cat #BGT
— That Bloody Mary (@Mazzaleeds) May 24, 2016
#BGT What??? The giant polar bear was in the semi-final?
— Ken Barlow (@I_am_KenBarlow) May 24, 2016
Simon went as far as to promise the children’s entertainer a spot at his young son’s birthday party.
He said: “Honestly. I think it’s my favourite act of the series so far. I really mean it. In eight months’ time, Eric is going to have a third birthday party, you are hired. I loved them.
“There is no other show on earth where six real polar bears are dancing to Ice Ice Baby with a clown. Incredible.”
And viewers were left wondering:
Just realised the entirety of #BGT only exists so Simon can book acts for his kid's birthday party.
— boydhilton (@boydhilton) May 24, 2016
Simon scouting the best acts for his sons birthday #BGT
— VictoriaT (@TezangiVictoria) May 24, 2016
David suggested that Simon had “lost the plot” and that there was a reason the act had not been done before.
Meanwhile, dance group Khronos Agoria left judges gushing as they performed an energetic routine to Run Boy Run by Woodkid.
They didn't put a foot wrong, which is pretty impressive as they have 42 feet. 👏🏾 #KhronosAgoria #BGT pic.twitter.com/MbJeJiMR8p
— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) May 24, 2016
The act even prompted a standing ovation from Alesha and David.
Four-piece girl group Zyrah Rose performed Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain.
GOLDEN GIRLS! 😍😍😍😍 #ZyrahRose #BGT pic.twitter.com/xa8MGsqkCm
— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) May 24, 2016
They were hoping to win round Simon, who was not a fan of their audition. He had said it left him “a bit cold” and did not feature enough interaction.
Josh Curnow sang Naughty Boy’s Runnin (Lose It All) and continued the streak of successful acts, with David saying he felt like he was watching the grand final already.
GOSH Curnow, more like. Brilliant. 🙌🏾 #JoshCurnow #BGT pic.twitter.com/4L7VtwR5ll
— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) May 24, 2016
Flying Bebop’s space-themed drone-dancing performance to Coldplay’s A Sky Full Of Stars led to some left-field advice from Simon.
OUT OF THIS WORLD! 🚀 #FlyingBebop #BGT pic.twitter.com/usVEBggJYk
— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) May 24, 2016
He suggested that to take the act to the next level, the drones should be piloted by mice.
Meanwhile, Morgan Connie Smith, and her song choice immediately pleased Simon as she performed her version of One Direction’s hit single History.
FUN FACT: This song is called History, which is also the GCSE exam #MorganConnieSmith has tomorrow. 🎓 #BGT pic.twitter.com/098nicByWP
— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) May 24, 2016
(Worth mentioning 1D are Cowell’s proteges after the boy band was formed on his other ITV talent show, The X Factor).
Can't cope with Simon swaying his finger to the 1D song. It's okay Simon, let yourself go, enjoy it 😂😂😂 #BGT
— E L E A N O R . . . (@EleanorSenior) May 24, 2016
A killer song? Don't over do it Simon just cos 1D sing it 😂😂 #BGT
— Aidan ☯ (@aidw89) May 24, 2016
The final act of the evening was 14-year-old dancer Jack Higgins, who performed a powerful contemporary dance to I’m Alive by Sia.
What a perfect end to a fantastic show that was from young Jack. 👏🏾 #JackHiggins #BGT pic.twitter.com/KVB7hZs3Sf
— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) May 24, 2016
The routine earned him a standing ovation from all four judges, with Simon saying: “I am very, very proud of you.”
Although when it came down to the judges’ votes, Simon chose Boogie Storm over Jack, with public vote taking Boogie Storm to the finals.
Richard and Boogie Storm will join 100 Voices Of Gospel, Mel & Jamie, Wayne Woodward and sword-swallower Alexandr Magala in the grand final of the show on Saturday.
The winner of the ITV show, now in its 10th year, will perform for the Queen at the Royal Variety Show and win a £250,000 prize.
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