After five days of thrilling entertainment, we finally reached the night of reckoning. Of the hundreds of thousands that entered, only ten acts remained – previous form counted for nothing, it was all about who could hold their nerve. 

Up first to impress the judges and the voting TV audience were Streetomedy pioneers Glen and Ashley, otherwise known as Twist and Pulse. 

In a brand new routine the body-popping double-act again managed to combine sublime dance moves with clever gags. 

“You have set the bar tonight,” said Piers, “it was fantastic.” Amanda agreed stating, “I love you, you’re on the money every single time.” 

Simon also loved the performance, claiming it was the boys’ best so far, “I’m really, really impressed with you guys,” he told them. 

Singing the song that catapulted him into the consciousness of the British public was Liam McNally, melting the nation’s hearts once more with his rendition of Danny Boy. 

Piers applauded the performance, “You couldn’t have done any more,” he told him. Amanda thought Liam sang the song “beautifully”, whilst Simon was full of praise for the 14-year-old. 

“Astonishingly, you were note perfect throughout,” he said. 

Paul Burling then treated us to a comical rendition of The Proclaimers’ hit Five Hundred Miles, with a chorus made up of 13 different voices! 

From Chris Tarrant and Billy Connolly to The Simpsons and Jeremy Clarkson, Paul’s sketch was fun for all the family. 

 “I loved it!” Piers exclaimed, “You came up with an inspired routine.” “You’re a big bag of comedy voices!” Amanda chirped. The praise was rounded up by Simon who called the act “funny and inventive”. 

Hoping to swap his life as an accountant for that of a showbiz performer was Christopher Stone, who sang the Barbara Streisand number Somewhere as if his life depended on it. 

Piers was blown away by the performance and urged Christopher to give up his job as an accountant and get onto the West End stage. 

Amanda said the song “touched” her, and Simon labelled the Harrogate lad a “naturally gifted, great singer.” 

It was then time for Tina and Chandi to, face the music… and dance. Nerves had been affecting Tina all day, but her faithful friend did her proud, and delivered a near faultless performance. 

Piers called it a “lovely act to watch”, Amanda thought it was “very entertaining” and Simon said if they won it should be a “celebration of Chandi’s life,” to which Tina replied, “there’s life in the old dog yet!”

Everybody’s favourite teenage boy band Connected, then graced the stage to perform the Westlife belter, What About Now. 

After positive comments from Amanda and Piers, Simon dampened their spirits somewhat when he questioned the song choice. “It stopped you being unique,” he told them. 

After winning the public vote last night, Kieran Gaffney’s confidence was sky high, and he was back on his ‘flying’ drum kit to bash-out the surf-anthem Wipeout. 

“Those drums were on fire tonight!” Amanda beamed. 

Simon praised the youngster for being a true showman, “I really, really like you,” he winked. 

Next up was a man never backward in coming forward, the liquid-limbed Tobias Mead, hoping to top his hugely impressive semi-final performance. 

The horror-themed routine went down a storm with the judges, with Piers claiming he could see the act in Las Vegas, Amanda hailing him as fit, and Simon sating that Tobias had turned it up a notch, “I think we could be in for an upset”. 

The penultimate act of the night was the irrepressible, Janey Cutler, whose laugh has been ringing through the studio corridors all day long! 

The smile faded slightly when she seemed to be out of synch with the live band, but she regained her momentum by the end of the song. 

“You are a remarkable lady,” said Piers, “that was a great performance and a great recovery.” 

Both Amanda and Simon praised Janey for the second half of her song. “You are one gutsy lady,” said Simon. 

The final ended in style, thanks to the acrobatic prowess of Spelbound, who leapt and tumbled all over the stage – and even above the judges’ heads! 

Piers and Amanda admitted they had run out of superlatives to throw at the gymnasts, with Amanda suggesting they would make a brilliant opening act for the 2012 Olympics. 

“That was one of the most astonishing things I have ever seen!” Simon remarked. 

All ten acts have now performed – who was your favourite? Leave your comment below…