Britain’s Got Talent: Cillian O’Connor and Lillianna Clifton in final

By Liam On Jun 2, 2023

Cillian O’Connor won the last semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent on Friday night, with dancer Lillianna Clifton chosen by the judges to join him in Sunday’s final.

The pair defeated the trouser-wearing Tonikaku after making it to the final three, with judges Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden all voting for Lillianna, meaning she received the majority of the panel’s votes.

Schoolboy magician Cillian told presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly of his triumph after winning the public vote: ‘I feel brilliant. I thank my family there, and the entire audience. Thank you!’

About what she had planned for the finale this weekend, Lilianna told the hosts, “Bigger and better than this!”

Tonikaku jokingly said he was incredulous that he didn’t make it to the finals of this year’s show.

Champ: Schoolboy magician Cillian O’Connor won Britain’s Got Talent final semi-final on Friday night

Success: dancer Lillianna Clifton will be with him in the final on Sunday, after being chosen by the judges

The comedic act drove the crowd wild during the live semi-final when he struck a number of poses while wearing a pair of Y-fronts, the underwear appearing to disappear as he moved around the stage.

When the judges asked him to strike one last pose, he appeared sour and disappointed before leaving the stage.

The acts sent home during the final semi-final of this year’s series were dance troupe The Pixiebelles, dance duo Romeo and Icy, comedienne nurse Georgie Carroll, singer Cammy Barnes and dance troupe Unity.

The acts that will compete in the final on Sunday are choirboy Malakai Bayoh, dangerous aerial acrobat performers, Duo Odyssey, amputee dancer Musa Motha and singer Amy Lou.

They are joined by clown and comedian Viggo Venn, singer Olivia Lynes, dance troupe Ghetto Kids and singer Travis George.

However, things will change for Sunday as it was revealed that the judges would make a decision on a wildcard pick to return to the show for the finale, with the act revealed during the upcoming schedule.

Thursday’s semi-final was a tense showdown, with judge Alesha Dixon, 44, saying ahead of the vote: ‘I’m really afraid someone great is going home. It’s going to be a tough one tonight.’

Amanda Holden, 52, added: ‘There were so many acts that deserved to keep going.’

Happy: Schoolboy magician Cillian told hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly of his triumph after winning the public vote: “I feel brilliant… Thank you so much!”

Pity: The pair defeated the trouser-wearing Tonikaku after he made it to the final three, with the funny man looking disappointed as he missed

Unique act: When the judges asked him to strike one last pose, he appeared sour and disappointed before leaving the stage

End of the ride: dance troupe Unity were among the acts to go home during Friday’s semi-finals

Goodbye: The Pixiebelles parted ways, despite Simon praising them for being a brilliant all-round act

Not anymore: Comedienne nurse Georgie Carroll waved after it was announced she had not progressed in the competition

Picked at the post: Vocalist Cammy Barnes was voted out of the contest, meaning he didn’t make it to Sunday’s final

After the public vote, Cillian, Lillianna and Tonikaku were announced as the top three.

The highest-grossing act was magician Cillian, who was thrilled to go straight to the final.

It was then up to the judges to choose between Lillianna and Tonikaku, with Bruno Tonioli, 67, who voted first for Lillianna, describing her as ‘the best dancer’.

Both Alesha and Amanda agreed and voted her through to the final before Simon could reveal his choice.

This year’s winner of Britain’s Got Talent will be announced at the end of Sunday’s show, with the champion winning £250,000 and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance later this year.

Earlier in the episode, Simon was silenced by presenter Declan Donnelly during Friday’s final semi-final after meowing about Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.

The head judge, 63, gushed over the performance of dance act Romeo & Icy, but fellow panelists Amanda, 52, and Alesha Dixon, 44, were less enthralled.

Simon said, “I don’t think you’re the best dancers we’ve ever had, but it doesn’t matter – most people can do what you do, that’s why I like you.”

But radio presenter Amanda and singer Alesha issued their criticism, telling the two dancers that they did not match similar dance acts they had previously had on the ITV talent show.

Alesha commented, “I still don’t think this is good enough to win the show.”

Calm! Britain’s Got Talent’s Simon Cowell, 63, was silenced by Declan Donnelly during Friday’s semi-final after the music mogul meowed over Amanda Holden (left) and Alesha Dixon

Artists: After the performance of dancers Romeo & Icy (pictured), Simon told the pair he ‘couldn’t get you out of my head’, but fellow panelists Amanda and Alesha were less enthralled

Their comments didn’t go down well with Simon, with the music mogul blasting cat noises loudly into his microphone as they spoke, prompting Dec to interject: “Simon! Simon! We need to hear it!’

The moment enraged viewers, with many program fans taking to Twitter to express their anger at the “rude” judge.

One person wrote: “Thanks Ant and Dec for berating Simon when the other judges tried to have their say thought that was a bit rude.”

While someone else shared, “Yeah Dec he wants to hear what the guys have to say with Simon making those noises it’s a bit rude to be honest doing that.”

‘Simon is extremely childish and rude! Try to drown out the other comments. Pathetic,” another viewer posted.

Someone else wrote, “I thought Simon was being rude by making cat noises while Amanda was speaking.”

And another person posted, ‘Why is Simon meowing like an alley cat while the others were talking? So rude.’

Why was Simon Cowell channeling his inner cat? That was rude, disrespectful and weird,” another viewer tweeted.

While someone else shared, “Bro Simon Cowell was so fucking rude and making noises through the mic, it’s not funny just because you’re famous.”

Shut Down: The couple’s comments didn’t go over well with Simon, with the star making cat noises into his microphone as they spoke, prompting Dec to interject: “Simon! We need to hear it!’