Britain’s Got Talent is entering its most crucial stage yet, as the ITV competition gears up for its live semi-finals. With the competition now narrowing down, the pressure is firm as the hopefuls prepare to perform live for a place in the show’s final.
Judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and newcomer KSI have already selected the acts they believe deserve a shot at the next stage following weeks of auditions that showcased a wide range of talent.
The 19th series of Britain’s Got Talent returned earlier this year with performers spanning multiple disciplines, from dance troupes, comedians and singers, to acrobats. But only one of them can walk away with the £250k cash prize and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance when the final airs on 30 May.
Tom Dymond – ITV
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Before that, contestants will have to navigate five weeks of live shows for BGT’s semi-finals – a demanding phase that will test their ability to perform under pressure. Eight acts will take to the stage, all competing for a limited number of spots on the final show.
The line-up of semi-finalists includes dog performer Anastasiia and her four-legged companion Salsa, dance group Celtic Beat, comedian and rapper Christy Coysh, magician Fraser Penman, singer Matty Juniosa, drummer Nancy Tilley, aerial performer Paul Nunnari, and acrobatic quartet The Rafikiz.
Among the most talked-about contestants is Nunnari, who secured a Golden Buzzer during his audition after impressing Simon Cowell. A Paralympic medallist, his performance automatically earned him a place in the live shows, but a Golden Buzzer doesn’t guarantee a spot in the final.
ITV
Before wowing the BGT judges, Nunnari represented Australia at multiple Paralympic Games, and has a unique experience as a para-athlete. He also took part in the Australian edition of Britain’s Got Talent in 2013. There, too, his performance helped him reach the finals of Australia’s Got Talent under the pseudonym ‘The Other Superman’, but he was eventually booted out of the competition during the semi-finals.
Britain’s Got Talent’s live semi-finals will begin this Saturday, 25 April, airing from 7pm to 9pm and taking place at London’s Eventim Apollo Theatre.
Much like last year, which saw magician Harry Moulding win, the shows will be broadcast weekly across consecutive Saturday evenings, rather than across a single week of nightly episodes.
This means that the final stages of the competition will unfold over a longer period than previous years, allowing viewers more time to engage with the acts. One of the semi-finals is also set for a huge schedule shake-up, airing on Sunday 17 May due to a clash with the Eurovision Song Contest, which is due to air on 16 May.
ITV
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As part of the live shows, ITV has also announced a special performance from Alexandra Burke, set to take to the stage and mark her return to the spotlight alongside Simon Cowell, whom she first worked with during her time and victory on The X Factor.
Alexandra will perform as part of a musical segment linked to the stage production she stars in, I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical.
As with previous series, the outcome of the semi-finals will largely depend on the public vote, with viewers playing a crucial role in deciding which acts can progress to the final.
However, hosts Ant and Dec and judges still maintain some power with a special “live Golden Buzzer”, which will allow them to send an act straight to the final, bypassing the public vote.
Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals begin on Saturday 25 April at 7pm on ITV.
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