Julian Smith and 2 Grand are in the Britain's Got Talent grand final.
Saxophonist Julian Smith can celebrate no longer being known as the 'nearly man', after he bagged a place in the Britain's Got Talent Grand Final tonight. The grandfather and granddaughter duo, 2 Grand, will join him after winning the judge's vote-off against 'future musical theatre' star Callum Francis.
What both acts had in common was simplicity. Julian stood on stage amid a sea of stage smoke and delivered a crystal clear version of the Eric Carmen track All By Myself. Of course, yesterday's winner, Stavros Flatley, was brilliantly ridiculous, but the act voted best-in-show this evening was, without a doubt, sublime.
Julian Smith made Amanda weep in auditions - and 2 Grand had her cheeks streaked with tear stains tonight. The Doncaster pair, Sallie and John - aged 12 and 76 respectively - performed the Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram track Somewhere Out There. Congratulated for "complete and utter sincerity" by Simon, Piers agreed: "You are genuine family entertainment - that's what this show is all about".
The result of Thursday's show seemed one of the most difficult to call at the outset, but a couple of acts failed to deliver under pressure. Jackie Prescott struggled to persuade her pooch Tippy Toes to do as she was bid, leaving Simon 'disappointed'. But at least that pair made it to the end of the act - girl band Brit Chix were buzzed off before getting that far.
The other acts on the bill all received a warm welcome and good comments. Fred Bowers and Sugarfree danced their socks off. Callum Francis brought Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book to life and was enchanting. Fabia Cerra's knockers had nothing to say as she pulled a high-kicked and splits'd her way through a show-stopping Flashdance. But in the end only two Britain's Got Talent places were given. And we will see Julian and 2 Grand again on Saturday night.