{"id":538057,"date":"2026-04-18T16:34:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T16:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/538057\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T16:34:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T16:34:09","slug":"britains-got-talent-judges-left-frantic-and-stunned-by-criminal-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/538057\/","title":{"rendered":"Britain&#8217;s Got Talent judges left frantic and stunned by criminal act"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Britain&#8217;s Got Talent judges and hosts were left gobsmacked by an audacious audition in the latest episode that quite literally left them out of pocket<\/p>\n<p>11:00, 18 Apr 2026Updated 11:38, 18 Apr 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lee Thompson BGT\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_LEE-THOMPSON-BGT19_BIRMINGHAM_D2__DD_3852.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Lee Thompson stuned the BGT judges\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Lee Thompson stuned the BGT judges(Image: Tom Dymond)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/britains-got-talent\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Britain\u2019s Got Talent <\/a>judges and hosts were left stunned when they realised they had been &#8220;robbed&#8221; during the auditions. In Saturday&#8217;s show, a real-life \u2018Artful Dodger\u2019 managed to pick the pockets of the panel, including <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/ksi\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">KSI<\/a>, leaving them completely &#8220;gobsmacked.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The drama unfolded when a mysterious contestant took to the stage, but it wasn\u2019t until the act finished that the true scale of the \u201ccrime&#8221; was revealed. Hosts <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/ant-dec\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Ant and Dec<\/a>, usually the ones playing the pranks, found themselves at the centre of the sting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Geordie duo were left frantic when they realised their smartphones and private key cards had vanished while they were busy filming. But the \u2018thief\u2019 didn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37033755\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/3am\/celebrity-news\/kym-marsh-says-milestone-birthday-37033755\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kym Marsh says milestone birthday will spark massive career shake-up<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37032716\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/3am\/celebrity-news\/inside-victoria-beckhams-fractured-birthday-37032716\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Inside Victoria Beckham&#8217;s fractured birthday bash &#8211; as she&#8217;s totally blanked by Brooklyn<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The judging panel were left baffled by one performer in particular\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0_bgt-6.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"The judging panel were left baffled by one performer in particular\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The judging panel were left baffled by one performer in particular(Image: ITV)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">KSI was left visibly rattled and clutching his chest when he realised the nimble-fingered performer had been &#8220;all up in his pockets&#8221; without him feeling a single thing. And to make matters worse the thief had disappeared like a ghost.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But before Simon Cowell could call for the police, the light-fingered culprit revealed his true identity and the reason behind the thefts. A show source said: \u201cIt was an auction nothing like we have had before on BGT. The man was using professional magic to pickpocket whilst auditioning for the show.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThings went from being very tense to admiration and shock and what had happened. The judges and hosts were still talking about it for hours afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In a tense but hilarious reveal, the male performer began producing the stolen goods one by one, including Ant &amp; Dec\u2019s smartphones, hotel key cards, and other personal items. He then left the crowd and the judges bamboozled when he also revealed he\u2019s snuck some wristwatches into people\u2019s pockets without them realising \u2013 including Ant &amp; Dec, KSI and Simon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">After his audition, Amanda responded: \u201cOh my gosh, I think you\u2019re a modern-day Artful Dodger\u201d. The contestant, who will be fully unmasked on the episode, describes himself as a \u2018pickpocket for hire\u2019 and was even employed as a Pickpocket Consultant on Guy Ritchie\u2019s Young Sherlock.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Viewers will find out on the show if he has stolen a place in the next round of the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/itv\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">ITV<\/a> competition. This weekend is the conclusion of the auditions before the show moves onto the live semi finals stage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Last week saw viewers stunned by another audition as the judges were yet again targeted. A lyrically dexterous youth worker, 35, from Dagenham recited a rap that took aim at the judges, including <a aria-label=\"Simon CowellLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/simon-cowell\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Simon Cowell<\/a>, in brutal fashion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The performance left the panel gobsmacked and viewers at home were unanimous in their praise for the impressive act. Talented musician REN DMC fired out insults at the famous panel, which also included <a aria-label=\"Amanda HoldenLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/amanda-holden\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Amanda Holden<\/a>, KSI and <a aria-label=\"Alesha DixonLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/alesha-dixon\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Alesha Dixon<\/a>. Ant and Dec were also targeted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Digs included criticism of Amanda&#8217;s radio show and KSI&#8217;s musical talents. The hopeful chanted: &#8220;I heard that you do <a aria-label=\"boxingLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/boxing\/\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">boxing<\/a> now\u2026 I know why you hit your opponents, because you can\u2019t make a hit in your music.\u201d He then labelled him \u201cthe worst thing in rap since Ant and Dec.\u201d Alesha was also called out by the hopeful, as her girl group Mystique was branded the &#8220;Temu Spice Girls&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">* Britain\u2019s Got Talent is on Saturday at 7pm on ITV and ITVX.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@mirrorshowbiz\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">TikTok <\/a>, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/story.snapchat.com\/p\/e938f430-2c82-432e-9424-9522e5dc822c\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Snapchat <\/a>, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mirrorceleb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Instagram <\/a>, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MirrorCeleb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Twitter <\/a>, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MirrorCeleb\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Facebook <\/a>, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MirrorCeleb\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">YouTube <\/a>and <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@dailymirror\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Threads <\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Britain&#8217;s Got Talent judges and hosts were left gobsmacked by an audacious audition in the latest episode that&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":538058,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[61119,3573,96,347,3650,2334,391,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-538057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-ant-mcpartlin","tag-britains-got-talent","tag-entertainment","tag-itv","tag-simon-cowell","tag-smartphones","tag-tv","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/538057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=538057"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/538057\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/538058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=538057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=538057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=538057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}