Britain's Got Talent contenders: Susan Boyle, Shaheen and more

Susan Boyle, the face – and voice – of this series of Britain's Got Talent. Despite only appearing for several minutes, she has already gone on to become a worldwide star, appearing on Oprah and mentioned on The Simpsons Photograph: ITV

Welsh wonder kid Shaheen Jafargholi wowed the judges with his great voice and cheeky smile Photograph: ITV

Rugby player Shaun Smith impressed with his take on Ain't No Sunshine Photograph: ITV

Tipped by many as a potential rival to Susan Boyle, Jamie Pugh was described as the most nervous contestant ever – but blew the judges away with his voice Photograph: ITV

From the first episode, father and son team Stavros Flatley had the crowd and judges roaring with their comedic Greek take on Irish dancing Photograph: ITV

When Simon Cowell told risqué dance act Dream Bears that 'to be fair, the competition is to dance in front of the Queen', the guys responded: 'We've danced in front of enough of them in our time.' To laughter, Cowell replied: 'That's what I thought' Photograph: ITV

Urban dance act Flawless had the audience gasping with their flawless act Photograph: ITV

Before Merlin Cadogan walked on, Simon Cowell was shown moaning that the stunts on the show were not dangerous enough – and then escapologist Cadogan attempted to escape from chains and juggle fire, all underwater Photograph: ITV

Greg Pritchard impressed with his unusual take on Nessun Dorma Photograph: ITV

The judges weren't that impressed by 10-year-old Hollie Steel's ballet dance, but they did like her voice Photograph: ITV

Simon Cowell told grandfather and granddaughter singing act 2 Grand: 'I love the relationship between the two of you. But it’s like putting seven sugars in your coffee, it’s a little bit too sweet' Photograph: ITV

Violinist Sue Son originally auditioned with her best friend in double act Addicted, but the judges asked Son to dump her pal and come back by herself. She did and she was immediately put through to the next round Photograph: ITV

Cute Callum Francis auditioned as Oliver Twist and won the hearts of the judges and crowd Photograph: ITV

Another youngster who got the saccharine vote was little Natalie Okri Photograph: ITV

Attempting to rival George Sampson was Aidan Davis, who was told by the judges that he could be better than last year's winner Photograph: ITV

Another urban act that brought the house down was Diversity Photograph: ITV

Face of Disco brought the laughs with their spoof dances, which included Posh and Becks – and Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh Photograph: ITV

Gold-toothed DJ Talent might have been rubbish, but his catchy riff based on the show's name had the crowd bopping Photograph: ITV

Piers Morgan claims he can repeat any talent he sees on stage - but he got children screaming when he dressed up as as Marilyn Monroe for the Piers de Resistance section of the show Photograph: ITV