Busker Maxwell Thorpe and 13-year-old ventriloquist Jamie Leigh advanced to Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) final on Sunday, the first of two live semifinal shows.
The pair advanced to the finals of the talent contest after receiving the most audience votes on Monday after a night of electrifying performances.
Thorpe was placed straight after receiving the most audience votes.
Jamie initially came face-to-face with 23-year-old magician Junwoo, but the judge’s vote was split equally between the pair.
The decision was reverted to the number of spectator votes and it was revealed that Young had scored higher.
Other acts performing on Monday’s show included 77-year-old singer Mel Day, the London Community Gospel Choir, magic act the Witch, impressionist Suzy Wilde and dance group Born to Perform.
Thorpe and Jamie received much praise from the judges after their performances.
Judge Simon Cowell told Thorpe that he should be cast in music by renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Jamie was given a standing ovation by the audience as well as the four judges after his performance.
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The youngster delivers a comic routine in which he and his chicken puppet friend Chuck flirt with Alisha Dixon and briefly hang out before reuniting with a song.
Amanda Holden praised the act as “the comic relief we needed”, admitting that she was still recovering from the previous act in which she was made to touch a live rat.
During the show, David Walliams joked that he would leave BGT if his golden buzzer act Born to Perform did not make it to the finals of the show.
The dance group from Nottingham, whose members have various disabilities, gave an energetic performance to a mix of songs including September by Earth, Wind and Fire.
“I’m so happy for you, I’m so proud that I had the opportunity to press the Golden Buzzer,” Walliams told the group after their performance.
“It was full of joy, full of love, full of passion and that’s just the way you want the world to do it.
“If you’re not in the finals on Sunday, I’m leaving the show.”
The second live semi-final will take place on Tuesday, and will feature eight other acts including more young talent.
Acts include school comedian Dante Marvin, Voice of the Armed Forces Children’s Choir and nine-year-old magician Ryland Petty.
Also on the bill are impressionist Ben Nicklas, musical duo Flintz and Taylor, ranger Chris, escapologists Andrew Basso and Amber, and their canine partner Nymeria.
The winner of the BGT Finals, which takes place on Sunday 5 June, will receive a prize of £250,000 as well as a place in this year’s Royal Variety Show.
