Simon Cowell stormed off the Britain's Got Talent stage as he participated in Jimmy Tamley's act during the live semi-final.
Cowell removed his ventriloquist mouth momentarily as he walked off stage, having looked very unhappy at being dragged into the act, with his exit coming just after Tamley attempted to get him on his feet to do the can-can.
He returned moments later to finish up the act, but was soon the subject of plenty of angry tweets from viewers calling him "rude" for walking off.
Others defended his decision and blasted the performer for dragging him on stage.
One wrote: "Simon Cowell needs to get a sense of humour. How very rude of him to walk off during an act #bgt."
Another said: "You could literally see the performer panic when Simon walked off. Bit of an overreaction there Simon mate?? Really inconsiderate and rude #BritainsGotTalent #bgt."
"Did Simon just storm off.. seriously how rude #BGT," posted somebody else.
Others claimed Cowell "wrecked" the act by leaving the stage in the middle of it, as David Williams stood on stage without his counterpart.
However some backed Cowell's decision as he was growing "uncomfortable" and branded it "the TV moment of the year".
Writer Matt Haig said: "Doesn’t matter what you think of Simon Cowell, there is nothing more discomforting watching someone being forced into a situation that makes them anxious. Involuntary audience interaction is outdated and off-putting."
Many agreed with him, saying that they found the act "shocking" to watch as Cowell grew increasingly "anxious" about being on stage.
As the judges settled back down to give Tamley his feedback, Cowell joked that the producers would be in trouble for putting him in the middle of an act.
Elsewhere in the semi-final, entertainer Graeme Matthews involved Amanda Holden in his act, taking her designer shoe for a "wash" as part of his performance.
When asked by Ant and Dec about the act during the results show, Tamley said: "That's the first time in my career a dummy has walked off stage by himself. He made a dummy of himself, not me."
Also performing were dance group Lil Icons, harpist Ursula Burns and magician Ben Hart all hoping for a spot in Sunday night's final.
Britain's Got Talent continues at 7.30pm and 9.30pm on ITV.
