New Britain's Got Talent Judge Bruno Tonioli broke one of the rules on the ITV series by pressing the Golden Buzzer for a second time. On Sunday's show, Bruno was so "gobsmacked" by a soul singer from London that he appeared to forget the rule that each judge - and presenting duo Ant and Dec - can give the Golden Buzzer to only one act throughout the auditions.
The decision means contestant Gamal John, 36, will be one of six auditionees headed straight to the live semi-finals. He wowed the judges with his stunning rendition of It's A Man's Man's Man's World by James Brown.
Born in Trinidad, Gamal said he moved to England when he was three years old and grew up singing around the house and in school. Describing himself as a "jack of all trades with singing on the side", he said his oldest child had "kept asking" him to share his talent on the hit ITV show.
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His performance earned him a standing ovation from the judges and the audience. Bruno said: "I am gobsmacked. I am speechless...No words can express how well you sang that song," while Alesha added: "You are an absolute superstar. That was incredible."
The audience started chanting for the Golden Buzzer, but Ant and Dec reminded them and viewers at home that there were no Golden Buzzers left. But Bruno was so overcome by the performance he hit the coveted buzzer anyway.
Bruno had previously given his first Golden Buzzer to a young dance group called Ghetto Kids earlier on in the series. But even that was a blunder because Bruno pressed the buzzer mid-way through their performance, rather than after they had finished, as stipulated by the show's rules, reports the mirror.
Amid cheers from the audience, the judges chided the former Strictly Come Dancing judge for his second blunder in the latest episode. Amanda said: "You only get one." Amanda, while Alesha joked: "What have you done to this show?"
"We are about to get fired" quipped Simon, before adding: "Having said that, Bruno is a new judge and if you give something you can't take it away." Bruno's fellow judges admitted they too would have sent Gamal straight to the semi finals if they still had a Golden Buzzer left, with Simon branding his performance a "masterclass".
Due to the error, there was no confetti to rain down on Gamal on stage, as is usual when the Golden Buzzer is pressed. But Ant and Dec quickly came to the rescue with confetti canons to give the singer his moment.
Viewers at home were not bothered by the mistake and were blown away by Gamal's act. "Wow the golden buzzer happened for a sixth time this year! The first time that’s ever happened! I think you do deserve it anyway Gamal as you were absolutely amazing!" said one.
Another said: "Wait. What.. they actually let Bruno Tonioli's second golden buzzer count? Brilliant performance by Gamal John and deserving of a golden buzzer, so it's good that Simon Cowell allowed it! He's a potential winner" and a third wrote: "Gamal, giving me goosebumps, what a voice and what a lovely guy."
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