Electric Umbrella wowed the judges
Simon Cowell pushed the golden buzzer after a heart-warming singing group brought the Britain’s Got Talent audience and viewers at home to tears.
For this series of Britain’s Got Talent, judges Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli have returned – with influencer and rapper KSI standing in to replace Bruno and Simon when they can’t make the show.
On Saturday night singing group Electric Umbrella, a UK charity that exists to empower learning disabled and neurodivergent people through music, was the latest act to make it through to the lives shows.
The group performed an original song called “Acceptance”, bringing joy and uplifting messages to the Blackpool arena. Despite having already pressed his golden buzzer once this series, Simon Cowell couldn’t resist sending the group straight through to the final.
Amanda said: “What pours out of you is the friendship. Everything you stand for is just brilliant. What an amazing day for us that you came here.”
Admitting he did not have any left, Cowell said: “I feel a wave of goodness here. Everything about that was good. What is stands for, what you did, for me this is like being in a movie. It was just spectacular.
“The only downside is that I don’t have any golden buzzer’s left, however…”, and pressed the buzzer regardless, sending Electric Umbrella straight to the final.
ITV viewers have flooded social media with praise for the group. Over on X, formerly known as Twitter, @OhAlicia_ wrote: “Electric Umbrella. My eyes are sweating… Please be kind to disabled people. Always.”
X user @Prestonphonebox wrote: “Wow “Electric Umbrella” on @BGT, brought a tear to my eye. What an act and what the shows all about #GoldenBuzzer”.
@ThomasF24943789 wrote: “ELECTRIC UMBRELLA WERE INCREDIBLE!!! Coming from an autistic background it’s hard for me to find acceptance sometimes until I found groups like @electricbrolly who welcome people from anywhere no matter who you are so truly deserved the Golden Buzzer. Great job. #BGT”
@gingermumstyle said: “You know what, we all knew they were going to get the golden buzzer as soon as they came on stage but, this world is pretty hard going right now & they made a lot of people smile. who started the group did a wonderful thing. Let’s just be happy for them, they were elated. #bgt”.
And @star_boi added: “What a song. What a message. And at a time when communities are under threat. I’m absolutely not crying…”
Other praised acts included magician and dance teacher Jannick Holste, who made dancers appear from various locked cages, while doing an over the top campy performance to Spice Girl hit Spice Up Your Life.
Tonioli called it a “magical camp extravaganza”, while Cowell – who previously saw Holste on America’s Got Talent, said the dancing was “pretty awful”, but admitted it was “hilarious”.
Those not successful include Soto The Nutcracker, who uses his body to break nuts and was on Spain’s Got Talent 2016, impressionist Max The Robot, a recorder performer, and Italian act Williams Sanchez – who makes his eyes bulge.
Britain’s Got Talent will be back on ITV1 at 7 pm on Saturday 29 March.
