Britain’s Got Talent’s first live semi-final was thrown into chaos on Saturday night when Ant and Dec announced to the crowd that eight-year-old magician Teddy Magic wasn’t ready to perform.
The ITV show was abruptly halted as hosts Ant and Dec were sent scrambling after they were forced to make the unexpected announcement to the audience and judges.
The presenting duo explained that Teddy, who was scheduled as the second act following dinosaur rockers Heavysaurus, needed more time to prepare.
The young magician had previously impressed the judges during his audition with telepathy and champagne-popping tricks.
ITV BGT: The judges had to improvise following the hiccups
ITV
The sudden change to the running order left the hosts scrambling to fill airtime whilst rearranging the show’s schedule, asking impromptu questions to the judging panel.
Ant and Dec announced the “change of plan” to the show’s schedule and were met by a bemused Simon Cowell, who was struggling to comprehend the situation.
As Cowell attempted to ask Ant and Dec what exactly the problem was, the audience started booing him for questioning why the eight-year-old wasn’t ready.
Ant and Dec then brought forward the third act, Vinnie McKee, to perform in Teddy’s place.
Simon’s fuming #bgt #britainsgottalent pic.twitter.com/v2Gm0883mS
— Soph 🌹 (@SophieSharpie) April 26, 2025
Head judge Cowell appeared visibly annoyed by the disruption, with several viewers at home taking to X to point out how “fuming” he was.
The chaos continued just minutes later when the show faced yet another disruption.
LED dance and illusion act The Blackouts were scheduled to perform, but technical difficulties forced another delay.
Ant and Dec had to announce this second issue to the audience, cutting to the judges instead of proceeding with the performance.
This marked the second major problem within the first 40 minutes of the live semi-final as Amanda Holden was forced to pad out time by discussing her Golden Buzzer duty.
Once more, Cowell appeared “enraged” as the technical issues with The Blackouts followed the earlier disruption with Teddy Magic.
Viewers quickly took to social media to share their reactions to the chaotic show, with the show’s raucous audience and production team coming under particular fire.
One X user said: “This is car crash tv just helping me realise how awful this show has become I definitely not missed anything in the 10 years I’ve stopped watching #bgt.”
ITV BGT: Ant and Dec did their best to keep the show on track
ITV
“Someone is getting fired by Simon #BGT,” a second weighed in before a third echoed: “Simon looks kind of p***ed – someone is fired in #bgt.”
Elsewhere, a fourth concurred: “Real shambles tonight, can’t hear the judges or the acts due audience screaming for the golden buzzer! Poor 8 yr old struggling getting on stage. Maybe age restrictions are needed in future #BGT.”
“I’d hate to be the person who answers to Simon after this shambles of a show a ready lol #bgt,” a fifth added to the debate.
And a sixth simply put: “What a shambles this #BGT semi-final is. Two acts not ready!”
