ITV reality series Britain’s Got Talent is whittling down its act this week with live semi-final shows airing each night. Last night (Thursday, May 30) was the fourth semi-final and proved to be an explosive watch after head judge Simon Cowell dramatically left the stage during one performance. But what really happened during the show and did head judge Simon really walk off?
Simon walked off stage while he was assisting ventriloquist act Jimmy Tamley in his crucial semi-final performance.
The head judge was on stage with David Walliams as the pair donned masks for the strange performance.
Jimmy then asked the pair to dance with David getting into the Can-can with full gusto but Simon seemed unimpressed and left the stage.
The crowd were heard booing and jeering as the music mogul took off his mask and walked off the stage.
“What do you do now, Jimmy?” David asked the ventriloquist, who seemed at a bit of a loss.
Simon did come back later on to take part but it didn’t help act Jimmy’s chances after he failed to make it through to the final.
Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly made some quips after the performance with the former telling Jimmy: “Where shall we start? Jimmy, maybe with you? It was less of the case of Can-can, more can’t-can’t, more won’t-won’t.”
Jimmy gave as good as he got: “You’re telling me! That’s the first time in my career the dummy has actually walked off stage by himself.”
“That’s no way to talk about Simon,” Dec jokingly responded.
But the ventriloquist told the host duo: “No it is! He made a dummy of himself, not me!”
The act then got his feedback with a lacklustre reception from the edging panel as Amanda Holden “That was Simon’s worst nightmare, but it was very entertaining for the rest of us!”
Amanda also said: “Why couldn’t you have just used Ant and Dec? It was very awkward but very funny.
“I loved you in the auditions I thought it was brilliant, there were a few ropey moments – I mean it’s like when your boss is forced to get up at the Christmas party and do some dancing!”
Although no clear reason was given for why Simon left the stage, he did joke about it afterwards: “When the credits roll up later on, you’re going to see the names of the people who produced this show.
“When you read about them being murdered in two days time, I’m going to admit I’m the person and you know who you are. Thanks for that, really appreciate it.”
However, David was tickled by the whole thing and told Jimmy in his feedback: “The funny thing is, this is all Simon Cowell is ever going to be remembered for and I’m very happy!”
Despite Jimmy’s memorable performance, Mark McMullan and magician Ben Hart made it through to the final.
They will be joining the six other confirmed finalists Colin Thackery, Kojo Anim, 4MG, Siobhan Phillips, Flakefleet Primary School choir and Dave and dog Finn.
This evening (Friday, May 31) will see the fifth and last semi-final show with another eight acts hoping to secure their place in the grand final at the weekend.
Britain’s Got Talent continues on ITV tonight at 7.30pm
