The music mogul was not happy during the ITV talent competition’s latest semi-final

Simon Cowell called out the Britain’s Got Talent producers on live TV in an awkward semi-final moment.

It was a busy night for the ITV talent show on Saturday night (May 9) as more acts looked to make it through to the final later in the month. To date singer Matty Juniosa, and her dog Salsa, illusionist Fabian Fox, musician Sadeck Berrabah and dance troop LMA have all been sent through.

Ant and Dec revealed at the beginning of the episode that KSI was the judge with the power of the golden buzzer this week. The YouTuber and boxer could send any act he wanted straight through to the final.

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“What do I do with this power? I could troll with it. It’s all about feeling with me. If it makes sense I’ll press it,” he said to the Geordie presenters.

Performing this week was glowing performance group Antigravity, daredevil act Liwei Yang, The Lux City Choir, dance group Mega Unity, acrobatic act Mizuki Shinagawa, harpist and singer Niamh Noade, dance group Playground and comedian Ted Hill.

Early into the semi-final, The Lux City Choir looked to stun the judges with a powerful performance of Miley Cyrus’ The Climb. Fans will recall that they sang Whitney Houston’s Higher Love at their audition.

Sadly, the performance didn’t go down as well as expected with the judges, with several of them calling out the song choice. Alesha Dixon said: “I loved the opening, I felt like I was in the circle of trust. It was a beautiful way to start the performance… your voices are just perfect.

“My only small criticism was the transition in the middle of the song, it felt a little clunky to me. I really liked the Miley Cryus song… just creatively, I would have liked you to go to a different song. It just didn’t work.”

Amanda Holden added: “I got goosebumps when you first started… The song choice was brave. I was waiting for that massive moment we’ve seen with you before, I didn’t feel like we got that today. I love how free you are and how relaxed you are.”

KSI stated: “I felt like the introduction was really nice, your voices are heavenly. I’m not sure of the song, I don’t know what the song is. It kind of went over my head… I wasn’t able to relate or respond well to it.”

When it came time for head judge Simon to have his say, the music mogul defended the act. Instead, he called out the show’s production team after asking if they could perform again.

“Are we able to do this again? If this was an audition, I’d say let’s just hear you because your voices are great. The track kicked in and we lost you.

“What would have been beautiful in the middle, if the track had just completely dropped away and heard how good you are. You were actually overproduced, boo to the producers I’m afraid. Seriously, it’s not your fault,” he noted.

Lux City Choir member Josh then said: “First of all, a big thank you. This is the biggest thing we’ve ever done. We worked really hard for this.”

A POPULAR York shop is starting a new lease of life – just down the road in a North Yorkshire town.

Born of Botanics has opened up a new premises having moved out of York city centre.

The business, run by entrepreneur Alex Hall, started off in a historic shop in Goodramgate before moving into Stonegate in 2022.

Originally it was known as The Little Yorkshire Candle Company then rebranded as Born of Botanics to reflect the fact the shop also sold body oils and creams and scent diffusers as well as aromatic candles – all hand made from natural ingredients.

It’s new base will be at 21 Kirkgate in Tadcaster, where Alex says there is a thriving independent retail scene.

Alex Hall’s Born of Botanics moves to Kirkgate in Tadcaster. Photo supplied

She told The Press: “There is a lovely high street here which is full of independents.”

The new shop opened on Tuesday this week and will stock Alex’s products as well as run a series of workshops, focussed on wellbeing and creativity.

Alex will be making her products in the front of the store, so customers can see what goes into each one.

She said: “I will have my workshop here and will be making in the shop front – candles, body products, bath products and oils.”

Alex Hall’s Born of Botanics moves to Kirkgate in Tadcaster. Photo supplied

The new shop has an upstairs which allows her to offer workshops too; this follows a run of successful workshops she has already run at alternative venues.

“Last year we ran a few workshops such as yoga, sound baths and scent blending, which customers loved. And it made me think about what I wanted to do next,” she said.

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At the new Tadcaster shop, Alex has already organised a paper flower-making workshop and has a calligraphy class and ‘blend and unwind’ session in the pipeline.

Flower making workshop at Alex Hall’s Born of Botanics in Kirkgate in Tadcaster. Photo supplied

During the latter one, customers can blend their own oils and take away their own scent, said Alex.

And she said Tadcaster was a great location, because many of her customers were based along the Leeds to York corridor – and she lives locally.

“I’ve known Tadcaster for years. Geographically, it is very central, and an easy stop off the A64.”

She added many independents were setting up and flourishing in the town.

“I feel like something is happening here at the moment – and it is something I want to be part of!”

For all the latest follow Alex on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/bornofbotanics/

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There is also beautiful countryside with picturesque walks waiting to be discovered

Cambridgeshire is a historic place, filled with many stories of the past. Some of these stories are light hearted and seem mythical, yet some stories are dark.

In the village of Babraham, there is one dark story about a former vicar. At the centre of Babraham is St Peter’s Church.

This has been on the same site since the 12th century. Babraham was a wealthy village, however in 1445 the vicarage was exempt from paying tax due to its poverty. In 1535, the village was reported to be one of the poorest.

From 1549, John Hullier served as vicar and remained vicar for six years. Before he became a vicar in Babraham, he was a chorister at Cambridge’s King’s College and also attended Eton.

During his vicarage in Babraham, John refused to renounce the Protestant faith. By doing this, it resulted in his death.

On April 16, 1556 – which was Maundy Thursday – John was burned at the stake on Jesus Green in Cambridge.

The village itself, like many other names in Cambridgeshire, has a name that is hard to pronounce. Some may think it’s pronounced like Bab-ra-ham, but its correct pronunciation is Bay-rum.

Despite being a tiny village, the ancient location has much on offer. It is home to the world-famous Babraham Institute and Babraham Research Campus, considered one of the UK’s major bioscience research hubs.

There is also lots of surrounding countryside that provide scenic places to walk. A hidden nature spot to visit is Babraham Pocket Park.

This is a community-run green space in the village, and it offers visitors a serene place to walk around.

Also amongst the surrounding countryside is wildlife including sheep, so it’s a great way for animal lovers to get closer to nature.

WHILST Upper Wensleydale has some wilder mountains and remoter valleys the scenery, from Askrigg to the West is tamer, more tranquil and full of interest and beauty.

The River Ure marks the backdrop for the walk which includes Aysgarth Falls, Bolton Castle and pretty Redmire.

Head across the fields from Redmire towards the village of Castle Bolton. The path heads directly for Bolton Castle (it’s the village name which is Castle Bolton – confusing), certainly the best preserved castle in the area.

Bolton Castle is most famous as the ‘prison’ of Mary Queen of Scots for six months as she awaited the pleasures of Elizabeth I. It is worth paying the entrance fee at least for the gardens which are impressive throughout the spring and summer.

However, the walking has hardly started so it is soon time to move. From the castle leave via a gate to the west of the castle car park (follow the farm track to keep your height) and head initially through fields of sheep but soon onto the open moors. The views both up and down Wensleydale are excellent.

Aysgarth Falls Upper Falls

Where the farm track runs out, follow the bridleway as it bends south/left and starts to drop steeply down towards the village of Carperby. The bridleway turns into a lane just above the village and enters on its eastern fringes. Take your time walking through this lovely village, exactly as the ‘real ‘James Herriott (Alf Wight) did on his honeymoon in November 1941.

I find walking from Carperby to Aysgarth Falls not very satisfying; my best suggestion is to take the road heading south from the west end of the village for 350 metres and then head along the footpath in the fields to your right. This soon enters the car park and visitor centre at Aysgarth Falls.

If you have not visited the falls previously the most interesting circuit is to the east of the road near the visitor centre where there are viewing platforms and some lovely woodland walking. You can also get to the Upper Falls, to the west of the road near the road bridge at the foot of the road. It is a good time to stop and enjoy a bite and a brew.

Cross the River Ure at the road bridge and immediately in front of you some steep steps climb through some buildings into the grounds of St Andrews Church, a Grade II-listed building set in a large church yard. Pick your way through the gravestones to emerge at its east end and start four-and-a-half miles of excellent riverside walking.

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It is rare in the Dales that you can stick so close to a river on a public footpath for so long. It is well signposted.

There are only two things to disturb the walk: meeting the busy A684 for 100 metres as it crosses Bishopdale Beck, and a little further on where you may (and should not) be tempted to shorten the walk by crossing the stepping stones across the Ure.

The first bridge crossing of the Ure east of Aysgarth is at Bolton Hall, a lovely country house set in its own grounds. Continue north on the estate road, cross the busy road to Wensley and continue up the footpath to the attractive (another one!) village of Preston under Scar, a history dominated by lead mining. A footpath heads west through the village and some woodland for three quarters of a mile before emerging; at a road, turn left and drop the final half mile back into the village of Redmire.

Fact file:

Wensleydale map

Distance: Roughly 13.5 miles.

Height to Climb: 400m (1,310 feet)

Start: SE 047912. There is parking in Redmire to its north end.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard. A long walk but straightforward and easy to follow. The riverside section can be muddy after rains.

Refreshments: The Bolton Arms at Redmire is a lovely traditional Dales pub.

Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL30) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear correct clothing and footwear.

A man in his 50s who died after a cardiac arrest in Brownlow Street is not believed to be the result of criminal offences, North Yorkshire Police have confirmed.

It comes after police and forensic officers were seen investigating the scene after police announced the man’s death, which happened shortly after 4am on Friday (May 8), was being treated as “unexplained”.

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Several police cordons were placed around the area and officers were seen going door-to-door at homes near Lowther Street at 1.30pm.

A 56-year-old man was arrested and has now been released from custody with no further action being taken in connection with the man’s death.

Police were seen in the area at 9am on Saturday, May 9 (Image: Abby Backhouse)

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “Extensive enquiries were carried out, including speaking to witnesses and reviewing significant volumes of CCTV footage.

“As a result, the man’s death is not believed to have resulted from any criminal offences.

“We know this tragic incident will have caused upset and concern in the local area.

“Neighbourhood Policing Team officers will continue to carry out high-visibility patrols there, to offer ongoing reassurance.”

The man’s family are now being supported by specially-trained officers through their grief.

North Yorkshire Police added: “We are grateful to the community for their support and understanding throughout the investigation.”

Casualty spoilers follow for Saturday’s (May 9) episode that is now available to view on BBC iPlayer. The episode in question will air on BBC One at 8:45pm.

Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) made the gravest of mistakes this week and it’s one that could’ve had major consequences – both in terms of her career and a patient’s life.

The fan-favourite ED consultant, who has been struggling with pains, was taken aback when her prescription was unexpectedly changed to opioids. At first, she vowed to do without them.

But with her pain levels increasing – not to mention stress at an all-time high in the ED due to a series of explosions on Wyvern Estate – she ultimately took the drugs.

Teddy Gowan (Milo Clarke), meanwhile, rescued a young girl from the aforementioned explosion and, as the opioids took effect, Stevie made a big mistake, administering too much morphine to the patient.

Matty Linlaker (Aron Julius) later worked out what had transpired and confronted Stevie but he ultimately refrained from telling her what she did, instead taking the blame when confronted on it by Dylan Keogh (William Beck).

The question is: will the truth come out? will Stevie face consequences for her actions?

Matty subsequently asked Stevie out for dinner but she declined.

The doctors, as fans will know, commenced an affair after they grew close in the wake of Kim Chang’s (Jasmine Bayes) death.

A number of weeks ago – at the beginning of the latest boxset Lethal Legacy – after the team spent the day trying to deal with what appeared to be the start of a new pandemic, the two were seen kissing passionately behind an ambulance

The relationship received quite the reaction from viewers and in the show it seems Stevie fears a similar reaction if Dylan – who is Matty’s dad – were to find out, opting instead to keep her dalliance’s with Matty a secret.

But as any soap fan knows, secrets don’t stay secret for too long.

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In terms of viewer reaction to the new coupling, fan Hannah wrote on social media: ‘stevie why???? I love you sm but matty???’.

Predicting more drama for Stevie, this person added: ‘STEVIE NO!!! this won’t end well’.

Casualty airs Saturday at 8:45pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.

MORE: Casualty trailer appears to confirm shock death and fans are terrified

Having missed out on selection for last year’s Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France, Marlie Packer’s remarkable international career may have seemed to some to be winding down.

The 36-year-old, who lost the England captaincy to Zoe Stratford at the start of last year, had slipped down the pecking order and was fighting to make a home World Cup squad.

Packer went on to play at the tournament but remained on the fringes and did not feature in any of the knockout games as England claimed glory.

Less than a week on from becoming a two-time World Cup winner, she announced she was “not hanging up her boots any time soon”.

Despite being leapfrogged by Sadia Kabeya, player of the match in the World Cup final, the Saracens forward said she was contracted until June 2026 and felt fitter than ever.

It was a good decision to continue. The Red Roses have lined up another Grand Slam decider against France next week thanks to Saturday’s 61-33 victory over Italy, a win spearheaded by Packer’s four tries.

The performance earned her the player-of-the-match award, as did her two-try display against Wales, with the veteran forward taking advantage of injuries and pregnancies disrupting John Mitchell’s starting pack.

“My secret weapon is that I am enjoying it and I have a smile back on my face,” Packer told BBC Sport.

“I am getting the minutes. For the last couple of years, Sadia Kabeya has had the nod over me but fair play, I have my opportunity at the moment and I am enjoying it. I have a smile and there is no pressure.”

In Parma, Packer showed impressive acceleration to latch on to a kick through for her opening try, before bulldozing her way to the tryline three more times – smashing through a number of Italy defenders for her fourth score.

Despite being the oldest player in the squad, Packer is now firmly in line to feature in the decider against France next Sunday at the 42,115-capacity Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux.

“Marlie doesn’t go away, does she?” Mitchell said to BBC Sport when asked about the 115-cap flanker, who led her country to back-to-back Grand Slams in 2024.

“After the World Cup she was like, ‘Where do I sit?’ and I said, ‘Marlie, you are one of the best sevens in the country and if you are happy with that, I am happy with that’.

“She is so determined and she has achieved so much. All the standards that we have now have very much been shaped by the way she leads.”

England captain Megan Jones was also full of praise for her former skipper, who registered 12 tackles against Italy and made 92 metres from 14 carries.

“She has a never-say-die attitude and is next level. She goes 100% even when we are walking,” Jones added.

A Labour MP has dramatically warned would-be leaders in the cabinet to challenge Sir Keir Starmer by Monday – or she will – following the party’s disastrous local election results.

Catherine West, the MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet, who was sacked by Sir Keir as a junior minister in the Foreign Office, said the cabinet should “reorganise themselves” and put forward their “best communicator” to replace the PM, avoiding a contest.

If that did not happen she would seek the 80 names needed to trigger a contest, she said.

Speaking to The Independent, Ms West said: “We had cataclysmic election results last week and our response so far does not match the emergency that faces us.”

She added: “I am terrified we will end up with Prime Minister Farage.”

Her intervention came as Sir Keir recruited party favourites Gordon Brown and Baroness Harriet Harman to try and help secure his flagging premiership.

As the scale of Labour’s failures at the local elections ballot box emerged, The Independent has also learnt that some senior ministers were attempting to prevent a leadership election amid fears that the former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner could launch a coup as early as next week.

Meanwhile, support is growing for energy secretary Ed Miliband, health secretary Wes Streeting and defence minister Al Carns.

Ms West’s move comes amid speculation from Labour MPs that the serious candidates to replace Sir Keir – including Ms Rayner and health secretary Wes Streeting – were awaiting “a stalking horse” to “allow them to swoop in”.

Speaking to The Independent, Ms West said she would welcome Mr Streeting, Mr Miliband, Ms Rayner or education secretary Bridget Phillipson taking over as leader and prime minister.

But she warned that time was running out for Labour with an election two to three years away.

“We need to tool up for this, because it’s going to be the fight of our life. We need to take on Reform and to put forward a centrist vision of the country that people can really get behind.”

Ms West, who originally comes from Australia, warned that the urgency meant that it was no longer possible to wait for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who would need to win a by-election to become an MP for a takeover bid.

Ms West has been in contact with the party leadership over her intentions, including party chair Anna Turley and Ms Phillipson who will be on the morning media round with her on Sunday.

She said: “Basically, the cabinet needs to get into the room, close the door and sort it out between themselves. Give Keir a role of some sort. He’s very good on the international relations.

“I think there’s so many good people, not just in the cabinet but her newly elected people, dust off your CV, get yourself in there.”

Downing Street has not commented on Ms West’s challenge but in a bid to win back the party faithful, the prime minister appointed Mr Brown – once described by Tony Blair as “the big clunking fist” – as his special envoy on global finance and brought in former deputy leader Baroness Harman as his adviser on women and girls.

Sir Keir posed with both on the steps of Downing Street on Saturday, ignoring questions about his future.

But an attempt on Friday night to get his cabinet to wheel in behind him backfired after a number of senior figures notably remained silent.

One ally claimed that Mr Streeting was “waiting for another candidate to go first before entering the fray”.

Others not to publicly endorse the prime minister were home secretary Shabana Mahmood, energy secretary Ed Miliband, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who have all been identified as possible leadership contenders.

Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines commander who has growing support among Labour MPs, also notably avoided offering his support.

An ally of Mr Carns added: “Al’s problem is if he jumped he could just be seen as a stalking horse. Wes [Streeting] and others want him to go so they can swoop in.”

With at least eight Labour MPs now publicly demanding Sir Keir sets a timetable for his departure, pressure was mounting on the prime minister as more privately said he could not lead them into the next election.

The latest to speak out was Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash, who saw Reform sweep his area. He said: “I’d prefer by party conference [in September], but setting the timetable is the critical thing.”

Another told The Independent that “it is not just MPs on the left who want him to go”.

A previous loyalist added: “The mood is generally awful as you can imagine. I’m not saying anything publicly right now but clearly we can’t go into the election with him as leader.”

A second minister added: “The fear at the moment is we will end up with Angela as our version of Liz Truss.”

A source close to Ms Rayner denied speculation that she could launch a bid as early as next week.

But the hopes to get Mr Burnham in as an MP as a “unifying figure” to lead the party appeared to have united ministers with leftwing rebels.

There was speculation that MPs were being told they would get a peerage if they stepped aside for Mr Burnham.

However, one MP warned: “Given what just happened I am not sure where Andy Burnham could stand and win a seat even if someone was willing to step down to give him an opportunity.”

Labour’s disastrous performance saw Reform winning most of the council seats in the north west of England, including all 22 available in Wigan and 16 out of 17 in the Tameside Council area which includes Ms Rayner’s constituency.

Sir Keir continued his fightback on Saturday with a video put out on social media where he admitted that the party needed to do more to convince voters.

He said: “It’s important that we reflect and respond to these results – we haven’t done enough to offer people hope for the future.”

With plans for a major speech on Monday, he added: “In the coming days I’ll be setting out the path ahead.”

It comes after the victim was seen taking out £30 at a cashpoint outside Tesco in Thirsk at 5.36pm on April 9.

She was captured being distracted and walking away before leaving the money at the machine.

The money was subsequently taken, North Yorkshire Police have said, by the next person to use the service.

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Police have released a CCTV image of a woman officers would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

If you think you can help with their appeal, please email peter.henderson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for PC1668 Henderson.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference 12260063679 when passing on information.