Britain’s Got Talent has been set up for a possible re-run of 2012 after performing dog act Jules O’Dwyer and Matisse won Tuesday’s semi-final.
Jules, 50, and her seven-year-old border collie impressed the judges and the public with a toy shop-inspired routine to follow in the pawsteps of dancing dog Pudsey and owner Ashleigh Butler, who won three years ago.
(ITV)
Jules and Matisse became the latest act to get through to Sunday’s final, and were joined by dad-dancing five-piece Old Men Grooving, who turned back the years to win on the public vote against London gospel choir Revelation Avenue after they had tied the judges’ votes.
Simon Cowell described Jules and Matisse as 'amazing', adding: “That was one of the best dog acts I have ever seen.”
After being told she had got through to the final Jules told hosts Ant and Dec: “It’s beyond my wildest dreams. I would like to thank everyone that supported us.”
Pudsey and Ashleigh become a hit around the world after they won Britain’s Got Talent, making appearances across the pond in The Jay Leno Show and America’s Got Talent, and landing film and toy deals.
Ashleigh and Pudsey (John Stillwell/PA)
The latest human and dog double act took home the most of 1.5 million public votes.
The rest of the semi-finalists included singers like Alison Jiear and girl-group The HoneyBuns, the latter of which were criticised by Simon Cowell, who said: “We have (pop group) Little Mix, now we have Big Mix.”
The line-up also included dancers like the nightmarishly flexible Bonetics and child group Groove Thing, plus lederhosen-clad Austrian magician Michael Late and camp, high-heel wearing singer and dancer Luca Calo, who finished last of the nine acts.
The show also included a performance by 2014 finalists Jack Pack, who covered The Doors’ Light My Fire.
Bonetics was one of the unlucky losers (ITV)
Welsh choir group Cor Glanaethwy and dance group Entity Allstars became the first acts to go through to the Britain’s Got Talent final last night.
Cor Glanaethwy automatically made the final after receiving the majority of the public vote.
Entity Allstars revealed that Ashley Banjo of 2009 winning dance troupe Diversity was a huge backer of the group. Entity Allstars’ choreographer Tashan Muir said the former winner, with whom he has worked, has even been giving him some tips in the hope the group will follow in his successful footsteps.
“He loved it (our performance). He’s asked me what we’re going to do for the final and has been giving tips,” said Muir.
Every night this week contestants will bid for a place in the final, with the hope of winning a £250,000 cash prize and the opportunity to appear at the Royal Variety Performance.
