Britain’s Got Talent: Comedian Axel Blake and poet Aneeshwar Kunchala sail through to final

Axel Blake was triumphant on Friday night’s fifth semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent in a gripping show ahead of Sunday’s final.

Immediately after the announcement the comedian, 34, said: ‘I feel amazing, thank you! Everyone at home and here, thank you very much!’

Poem-reading conversationist Aneeshwar Kunchala, seven, screamed as he received votes from judges David Walliams, 50, Alesha Dixon, 43 and Amanda Holden, 51, with the trio putting him straight through to the final.

Champion: Comedian Axel Blake, 34, was triumphant on Friday night’s fifth semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent in a gripping show ahead of Sunday’s final

He said: ‘I feel amazing! I’m going to do another poem but it will be better upgraded.’

Aneeshwar took to the stage to perform an expressive poem about the importance of looking after the planet for his semi-final performance.

After his audition, Amanda said she was glad her daughters Alexa, 16, and Hollie, 10, were sitting in the audience so they could head the important message behind his words.

Delighted: Poem-reading conversationist Aneeshwar Kunchala, seven, screamed as he received votes from the judges to send him through to the series final

Passionate: The seven-year-old conservationist impressed the judges, with David saying he was one of his favourite acts

Axel left the audience in fits of laughter with his jokes during his audition, with the funnyman being Simon’s golden buzzer act earlier in the series.

The judge, 62, told him after his set: ‘I’ve got to tell you, I was really nervous because I knew how good your first audition was and I really like you.

‘I didn’t realise actually how brilliant you are… I know people on these shows, we get carried away in the moment, ‘Oh you’re a star, you’re a star, you’re a star,’ but I’m going to say it because I mean it, you’re a star.’ 

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High hopes: Axel left the audience in fits of laughter with his jokes during his audition, with the funnyman being Simon’s golden buzzer act earlier in the series

High praise: The judge, 62, told him after his set: ‘I didn’t realise actually how brilliant you are’, with the performer now going through to Sunday’s final

Brian and Krysstal and were buzzed off the show before they got the chance to finish their performance.

Guitarist Brian was seen standing on stage with his instrument alongside Krystall who wore a sequinned jacket over a black dress.

The pair began their slot by cracking a few jokes, prompting some giggles from the audience as they looked on.

Unlucky: Brian and Krysstal and were buzzed off the show before they got the chance to finish their performance

But, as the act went on, the gags left the judges increasingly unimpressed, with Simon insisting it seemed like they’d put no effort in for the late stage of the competition.

He said: ‘As you can tell, we’ve got a bit of a split audience tonight. Some people were with us, some people loved you.

‘I think it was not very well prepared for a semi-final.’ 

End of the road: As the act went on, the gags left the judges increasingly unimpressed, with Simon insisting it seemed like they’d put no effort in for the late stage of the competition

David said: ‘In fairness, I was the last person to buzz. So I was the least worst. It just wasn’t coming over in the way we would have liked.

‘We loved you in the audition, just being honest. I was looking forward to seeing you tonight but, for whatever reason, it just didn’t come over.’

Alesha said: ‘When I saw you on the line-up tonight I was really excited but it was just a bit ropey.’

Judgement: David said: ‘We loved you in the audition, just being honest. I was looking forward to seeing you tonight but, for whatever reason, it just didn’t come over’

Matricks Illusion kicked off the show and surprised the judges as they produced a clone on Simon for their performance.

The illusionist and magic act brought the glamour to the first performance dressed in glitzy gold and black outfits.

Part way through their live semi-final audition, they were joined by a lookalike of Simon, with the double donning a white shirt and a pair of high-waisted black trousers in the executive’s typical style.

Kicking it off: Matricks Illusion kicked off the show and surprised the judges as they produced a clone on Simon for their performance

Seeing double: Part way through their live semi-final audition, they were joined by a lookalike of Simon, with the double donning a white shirt and a pair of high-waisted black trousers

Glitterati: The illusion and magic act brought the glamour to the first performance dressed in glitzy gold and black outfits

Tricksters: Elsewhere Scooter Boys left audience members’ hearts in their mouths as they performed their tricks, with the words ‘do not try this at home’ emblazoned across the screen

Gripping: Dressed in white outfits, they were seen leaping and flipping through the air on stage

Elsewhere Scooter Boys left audience members’ hearts in their mouths as they performed their tricks, with the words ‘do not try this at home’ emblazoned across the screen at the start.

Dressed in white outfits, they were seen leaping and flipping through the air on stage.

Impressed, Alesha told them: ‘I love you boys so, so much. Your cheekiness, your friendship. The energy you brought tonight was fantastic.’

Born to perform: Welsh of the West End impressed the judges as they took to the stage to sing a Dear Evan Hansen classic

Making moves: IMD Legion left the judges impressed with their energetic dance routine which lit up the stage

Elsewhere, a number of Britain’s Got Talent acts were brought back to the stage on Saturday night to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Colin Thackery, Jon Courtenay, The D-Day Darlings and the D-Day Juniors were joined by The Chelsea Pensioners Choir and Military Drummers for a patriotic performance.

Meanwhile, Amanda was dressed in a stunning red white and blue dress as a tribute to Her Majesty.

Patriotic: Elsewhere, a number of Britain’s Got Talent acts were brought back to the stage on Saturday night to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Making music: Colin Thackery, Jon Courtenay, The D-Day Darlings and the D-Day Juniors were joined by The Chelsea Pensioners Choir and Military Drummers for a patriotic performance

The star wore a Union Jack themed gown which featured a tight, crimson bodice with an exposed back. 

The bespoke House of Sheldon Hall piece was brought together with a show-stopping skirt and train.

It included ruffled detailing and acid-wash prints of the UK’s flag.

Amanda wore her platinum blonde hair down in loose waves, opting for glam, dark eye make-up and a glossy baby pink lip.

Britain’s Got Talent continues on ITV1 on Saturday at 8pm. 

Britain’s Got Style! Amanda stunned in a flashy gown featuring the Union Jack, paired with a tiara

All smiles: Amanda grinned as she showed off her stunning gown, featuring a red bodice and Union Jack skirt