Britain's Got Talent viewers have claimed they know exactly how illusionist Miki Dark executed his jaw-dropping trick during the latest auditions episode as Simon Cowell was 'set on fire' in shock scenes.
The hit ITV talent show returned to screens on Sunday night (May 14) after being bumped from its usual primetime Saturday night slot. The broadcaster pulled the episode from the schedule on Saturday night (May 13) due to the Eurovision Song Contest's grand final airing on BBC One, which was later revealed to have been watched by an average of 9.9 million UK viewers and a peak of 11 million.
During the episode, judges Simon, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Bruno Tonioli watched as the silent Miki appeared on stage in front of them wearing a black hooded cloak and intimidating white make-up with black circles around his eyes.
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The 57-year-old stayed silent before making his way down to the judges. Miki then escorted Simon back onto the stage and tied him to a chair. He then put a black bag over the 63-year-old judge's head before covering it in lighter fuel and placing a box on top.
As Amanda, Alesha and Bruno watched in horror from the judges' desk, host Ant McPartlin exclaimed: "Do not try this at home!" as he watched the dramatic act unfold from the wings with Dec Donnelly.
After Simon's head was secured in the box, Miki lit two matches and dropped them above Simon's head, leading to audience members screaming out. He then appeared to show that the fire had engulfed the red box, opening up different sections before closing the lid entirely.
After, Miki removed the box and revealed Simon was fine, despite appearing to be set on fire, as he asked the other judges what had actually happened. But viewers watching at home were quick to claim that they knew exactly how the illusionist performed the trick.
@DavidJosephLaw2 tweeted: "Well obviously there was another box round his head and the fire was between the 2 boxes. Acting he didn't know what was happening. Getting too staged now this. #BGT #BritainsGotTalent." @sam.hill.1706 said: "Simon’s head was inside a fire/heatproof helmet type structure and the fire was from hidden compartments 360° around that helmet. Quite obviously really but it seems not on here."
@leweyfield posted: "So a box with a false roof, false front and false sides nearly tricked us into thinking he set Simons head on fire. #BGT #BritainsGotTalent." @Dalesphere shared: "Have the audience and judges never seen a fire-proof hood used in special effects? It was entertaining but not dangerous in the slightest. #BGT."
But others had another complaint as they remembered Miki from BGT's American counterpart, America's Got Talent. @DavidJosephLaw2 said: "Another one who's done AGT... Are we running of acts in this country now. #BGT #BritainsGotTalent." @Survivinthe20s tweeted: "So another ringer act from AGT. Surprise surprise. Just constant recycling from show to show. #bgt."
@camy_934 asked: "Miki Dark from AGT now. Why do they keep letting these weird acts on? #BGT." @jamie_pragnell added: "And the Worldwide Got Talent Merry-Go-Round continues….. Miki Dark….. He’s done America…..Holland, France…..any more???? #BGT #bgt2023."
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