It wouldn’t be Britain’s Got Talent without an on-air row, and it proved that when Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden got into a lively row on Wednesday night.
Head judge Cowell was playfully slapped by panellist Holden as they battled for bragging rights over festively named singer Sydnie Christmas.
The pair claimed her as their Gold Buzzer act during Wednesday’s live semi-final at Hammersmith Eventim Apollo, prompting an outraged reaction from Holden, who originally gave Christmas a free pass to the latter stages of the competition in April.
When Cowell attempted to claim the 28-year-old as his own act, his fellow judge snapped: “No, you wish she was yours.”
Despite co-host Ant McPartlin confirming that she was indeed Holden’s chosen Golden Buzzer act, the head judge stood her ground as she talked about him, prompting her to playfully slap him on the shoulder.
Simon Cowell was playfully slapped by panelist Amanda Holden on Britain’s Got Talent as they battled for bragging rights over singer with festive name Sydnie Christmas.
Kent-based gym worker Christmas made it to Sunday’s final after wowing the judges with her cover of Frank Sinatra’s My Way.
Holden was seen reacting to Cowell after he attempted to claim the Golden Buzzer act as his own during Wednesday’s semi-final.
“She’s absolutely phenomenal,” Holden said, dismissing him. ‘I don’t know what she’s singing, I want to be surprised. But I know she’s going to destroy it.
Kent-based gym worker Christmas made it to Sunday’s final after wowing the judges with her cover of Frank Sinatra’s My Way.
She was joined by impressionist Mike Woodhams, and now the pair are one performance away from winning a life-changing £250,000 cash prize and a place on the Royal Variety Performance bill.
Holden, who began to cry, told her: “I have to sit down, I thought I was going to faint during that.” Honestly, Sydnie, when we saw your audition, a lot of people came up and stopped me.
“And tonight you did even better, I just can’t believe your ability, your fire and your strength.”
Bruno Tonioli, equally impressed, added: “I can’t believe it. The way he hits the high note, hitting it with such power and clarity. It was impressive, impressive.”
Alesha Dixon agreed, telling the singer: ‘My heart was pounding through that whole process. That’s the job of a singer, you’re a superstar in the making.
While Cowell told him: ‘In my opinion, it wasn’t a 10, it was an 11.’ If it weren’t for people like you, I wouldn’t bother doing this show.
Afterwards, an impressed Simon Cowell rated the semi-final performance an ’11 out of 10′.
“In my opinion, it wasn’t a 10, it was an 11.” If it weren’t for people like you, I wouldn’t bother doing this show,” she told him.
‘And you have to ask yourself who those idiots were that you auditioned for that didn’t give you the chance sooner, you have to do it. The only people you should trust is the public, the public is always right.’
Christmas won a standing ovation after performing his own version of Tomorrow from the hit musical Annie, a song Cowell admitted to hating until his performance won him over, during his April 20 audition.
The performance left its mark on Holden, who instantly cast her as part of Golden Buzzer.
“What struck me most about you is how naturally fun, warm and bright your presence was the moment you walked on stage,” he told her.
“And tonight you did even better, I just can’t believe your ability, your fire and your strength.”