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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment

Britain's Got Talent semi-finalists unveiled as series returns to screens

It's the moment reality TV lovers have all been waiting for – Britain’s Got Talent is back.

The ITV series returned to screens on Sunday evening months after the coronavirus pandemic forced production to be put on ice.

The show was back with a pre-recorded instalment revealing which contestants had made it through to the semi-finals.

The lucky acts include Aidan McCann, a young magician from Ireland, and Amanda and rescue dog Miracle – a magic act from Scotland.

Aidan McCann (left) and rescue dog Miracle are among the lucky acts(PA)

Others to make it through to the knock-out stages include the Chineke! Junior Orchestra and Class Dynamix, a choir from Leeds.

Papi Flex, a contortionist from Belgium, and Wesley Williams, a unicyclist from Florida, also got through to the next round, with the Golden Buzzer acts.

Papi Flex (left) and Wesley Williams wowed judges (PA)

It was previously announced that Diversity star Ashley Banjo will take Simon Cowell’s place on the judging panel for the semi-finals while the music mogul recovers from back surgery.

Cowell, 60, broke his back in a number of places after falling off a new electric bike he was testing at his house in Malibu.

Banjo will join regular judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams on the panel.

The final will air in October, with the winner taking home £250,000 plus a slot at the Royal Variety Performance.

Some acts will take part via videolink whilst others will perform in the TV studio without a live audience.

Instead, a virtual audience will watch from their homes and their reactions will be broadcast into the studio on a giant screen.

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