Busker Maxwell Thorpe and 13-year-old ventriloquist Jamie Leahey traveled to the Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) final on Sunday after the first of two live semi-finals.
The couple qualified for the talent show final after receiving the most votes from the public on Monday after a night of electrifying performances.
Thorpe was put straight after receiving the most votes from the public.
Jamie went up against 23-year-old magician Junwoo first, but the judges’ vote was split evenly between the two.
Maxwell Thorpe is our first finalist of #BGT 2022! 🙌
Wow congratulations! 🎉 #England has an incredible talent pic.twitter.com/qLbkYwHCVc
– BGT (@BGT) May 30, 2022
The decision was down to the number of votes from the public and it was revealed that the youngster had scored more.
Other performers on Monday’s show include 77-year-old singer Mel Day, London Community Gospel Choir, magic act The Witch, impressionist Suzi Wild and dance group Born To Perform.
Thorpe and Jamie received praise from the judges after their performances.
Judge Simon Cowell told Thorpe he should be cast in a musical by famed composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Jamie received a standing ovation from the audience as well as the four judges after her performance.
Not to be outdone, massive applause to Jamie Leahey who becomes our second runner-up! 🌟 #BGT #England has an incredible talent pic.twitter.com/urKKZbN2jd
– BGT (@BGT) May 30, 2022
The youngster delivered a comedic routine in which he and his chicken puppet friend Chuck flirted with Alesha Dixon and had a brief argument before coming together with a song.
Amanda Holden hailed the act as “the comic relief we needed”, admitting she was still recovering from a previous act in which she was forced to touch a live rat.
During the show, David Walliams joked that he would quit BGT if his golden buzzer number Born To Perform didn’t reach the show’s finale.
The dance group from Nottingham, whose members have various disabilities, delivered an energetic performance to a medley of songs including September from Earth, Wind and Fire.
“I’m so happy for you, I’m so proud to have pressed the golden buzzer,” Walliams told the band after their performance.
“It was full of joy, full of love, full of passion and that’s the way you want the world to be.
It’s never a cloudy day when Born to Perform is on stage! ☀️
Their semi-final performance will bring you pure HAPPINESS, so prepare to grin from ear to ear and watch it here: https://t.co/MEDNSovWQj #BGT #England has an incredible talent pic.twitter.com/wypIeaTGHj
– BGT (@BGT) May 30, 2022
“If you’re not in the final on Sunday, I’m leaving the show.”
The second live semi-final will take place on Tuesday and will feature eight more acts, including more young talent.
Acts include schoolboy comedian Dante Marvin, the Voices of the Armed Forces children’s choir and nine-year-old magician Ryland Petty.
Also featured are impressionist Ben Nickless, musical duo Flintz and Taylor, Ranger Chris, escapologist Andrew Basso, and Amber and her canine partner Nymeria.
The winner of the BGT Final, which takes place on Sunday June 5, will take home a prize of £250,000 as well as a place in this year’s Royal Variety Performance.
