There is always a moment in any talent show when someone does something so amazing that the whole place erupts.
Last year, for us, it was Paul Potts singing Nessun Dorma. Last night it came with George Sampson’s electrifying Singing in the Rain dance routine.
The judges thought we’d made a mistake with George last year by not putting him through to the semi-finals. And boy did he ram that mistake down our throats this time. As the rain water cascaded down on top of him at the end, and tears cascaded down Amanda’s face, the audience stood as one and roared their approval. I turned to Simon and could see that beaming smile I know so well – the one that says: ‘KER-CHING!’
He knows that whether he wins the final or not - and he must be the red hot favourite now - George has overnight become the most marketable young dancer in the country.
If George was the hero of the night, then poor little Charlie Green became the John Terry in the European Cup final figure – a great guy who just had a bad day at the office.
My heart sank when I heard he was singing a song written by one of his dad’s mates. Charlie was performing for a place in the final of Britain’s biggest talent show for goodness sake, not singing in the local village W.I. contest. And that disastrous song choice cost him big time in the end. Because brilliant though Charlie is, it just didn’t suit him nearly as well as the swing style standard Summer Wind that got him through the auditions.
Some people were surprised that we buzzed off the (hopeless) magician last night, and gave two ‘X’s to the young girl group. But I make no apologies for being tough in the semi-finals.
We’re trying to find an act worthy of putting on the Royal Variety show, and if it’s obvious that the performance is not up to the standard of other finalists then why prolong the agony?
I was sorry to see Hoop La La go out, though. They were hilariously camp, very talented with their hoops,and seemed to love every second of what they were doing.
Tonight we will see Faryl Smith, someone who we all feel could be a potential winner – but who now has to give the performance of her life.
