Daredevil act Liwei Yang and comedian Ted Hill were sent through to the ITV programme’s final

Britain’s Got Talent fans said ‘you’re having a laugh’ as they claimed that an act was ‘robbed’ in the ITV competition’s latest semi-final.

It was a dramatic night on Saturday (May 9) as more acts looked to secure their place in the annual programme’s final, which will be held later in the month. Prior to the third semi-final,singer Matty Juniosa, and her dog Salsa, illusionist Fabian Fox, musician Sadeck Berrabah and dance troop LMA were all sent through.

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.

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This week saw KSI given the power of the semi-final golden buzzer. In the past, the judges would have to choose between the act who finished second and third in the public vote to go through.

However, this changed last year with the divisive new introduction. Now, each of the judges gets to choose one act to send immediately through to the final at any point during their episode.

In the end it was the penultimate act of the evening, Liwei Yang, who KSI chose. The Taiwanese native began her act by juggling an umbrella that was on fire with her feet.

After throwing the umbrella up in the air and spinning it with her feet, her husband wheeled out a giant wheel to the stage. In an impressive feat of strength and composure, Liwei once again juggled the item using only her feet.

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Leading the praise, KSI said after the routine: “Oh my god, that was phenomenal. That was phenomenal. Doing that with our husband by your side, that must have been magical. I saw the size of that thing and when I saw what you were going to do with it, I couldn’t believe it.”

When it came to the public vote, following a brief intermission with a performance by Westlife, the last two acts remaining were comedian Ted and harpist Niamh. Ant and Dec revealed that it was Ted who received the most votes.

Ted, who Ant and Dec used their golden buzzer on during the auditions, performed another powerpoint comedy routine. The comic, who has autism, poked fun at Simon Cowell throughout the act, even bringing out a robot designed like the music mogul.

Reacting to reaching the final, Ted said: “I feel pretty good. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. This means the world to me. I’m lost for words, thank you so much.”

Despite two strong acts being sent through, many viewers took to X, previously known as Twitter, to explain why they thought Antigravity should have landed a spot in the final. The act who received Alesha Dixon’s golden buzzer during the auditions’ performance was pre-recorded for technical reasons.

@PeaksLfc said: “Anti gravity robbed I knew ksi should have golden buzzer them ! X #BGT.” @Chris2617ru added: “Anti Gravity must be feeling down after that #bgt.”

@WhoPotterVian wrote: “I’m sorry but how the heck did Anti-Gravity not win tonight? They were so much better than all of the other acts and should have been this year’s winners. Hopefully they get the wildcard so they can win it. #BGT.”

@RyanSoapKing25 commented: “#BGT Anti Gravity in 3rd – didn’t see that one coming!” @mint250 posted: “Nah anti-gravity 3rd you’re having a laugh #BGT.”

The final results have been declared – and the damage to Keir Starmer’s party stands at 1,496 seats

Labour’s local election catastrophe is over as the final results from every poll have now been announced.

Keir Starmer’s party lost 1,496 seats and control of 38 councils across England in what is thought to be its worst local election performance in history. The Conservatives also suffered, losing 563 councillors and control of six town halls.

The big winners were Reform UK, which gained 1,451 seats, nearly as many as Labour lost. Nigel Farage’s party also gained control of 14 councils.

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The Greens gained 441 seats and five authorities, while the Liberal Democrats added 155 councillors to their total and one extra council – Stockport.

Three Greater Manchester councils which were Labour-led are now in no overall control: Tameside, Bolton, and Oldham. The party also suffered heavy defeats in Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, and Wigan, where MP Jo Platt said. ‘voters gave us a kicking’.

She told the M.E.N. on Friday (May 8): “It is about the voters. They wanted to give us a kicking and they have.

“This is about the voters. This is about listening and that’s what we’ve got to take stock of locally and nationally. We have got to listen to what they said and it starts tomorrow.”

Despite the disaster, Keir Starmer has vowed to fight on as Prime Minister. He said: “I’m not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos.

“The results are tough, they are very tough, and there’s no sugar-coating it.

“[On] tough days like this, they don’t weaken my resolve to deliver the change that I promised at the general election – they strengthen my resolve to do so”.

Nigel Farage called the results ‘historic’, adding: “We have absolutely torn the most massive historic chunk out of the Labour vote in the north of England.”

Mayor Andy Burnham has stayed relatively tight-lipped on the results. That has not stopped speculation mounting he will challenge Keir Starmer for the party leadership in the coming days or weeks.

Keir Starmer took aim at Brexit and said forging closer ties with Europe will be at the heart of his response to Labour’s dismal showing in the local elections, as he vowed to lead the party into the next general election.

The beleaguered prime minister is battling for his political future after Labour lost more than 1,200 council seats in England this week, and relinquished control of 37 councils.

Reform UK gained more than 1,350 seats and took control of 14 councils, including eight previously run by Labour – many of which were in the party’s northern English heartlands.

The results extended beyond the north of England as Labour also lost control of the Welsh Senedd for the first time – being reduced to just nine seats out of the 96 available in Cardiff Bay, with first minister Eluned Morgan even losing her seat in a a further humiliation, while the SNP claimed victory once again in Scotland.

In his first major interview since the elections, the prime minister told the Sunday Mirror that he would be “full-throated” about the need for closer ties with Brussels and insisted he would lead Labour into the next general election as he explained how he would attempt to continue with his 10-year project of “national renewal”.

The PM said: “I feel that Brexit has held back our young people. They should be free to work, study, travel in European countries, just as I was able to when I was growing up.

“That has been smashed away from young people because of Brexit. I’m not going to let Brexit stand in the way of their opportunities, and therefore we’ll push forward on that.”

Labour lost control of councils to Nigel Farage’s party in areas which voted leave in the 2016 European Union referendum, such as St Helens and Sunderland – both of which have long been seen as strongholds for the party.

In an apparent attempt to address the concerns of voters who felt left behind, Sir Keir promised “an economy that really works for everyone, wherever they live”.

The Sunday Mirror reported that No 10 and the Treasury are drawing up support for families, targeting fuel costs and household bills which have soared since the Iran war pushed up global oil and gas prices.

But Sir Keir faces a fight to keep his job as former Foreign Office minister Catherine West has promised to launch a leadership bid on Monday unless Sir Keir is ushered out by the Cabinet.

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. I am terrified we will end up with prime minister Farage.”

Around 30 Labour backbenchers have publicly suggested Sir Keir should either quit or set a timetable for his departure.

Mr Starmer said he would fight for his job in the face of a challenge. “I’m not going to walk away from the job I was elected to do in July 2024”, he said. “Of course the results are tough, they’re really tough and I’m not sugar coating that.”

Asked if he would lead Labour at the next general election, the prime minister told the Sunday Mirror: “Yes I will, and I’ve always said it’s a decade of national renewal, where the legacy we inherited was an appalling legacy on all fronts, not just the economy, which was broken.

“Public services were broken and actually the situation was worse when we got into office than we thought beforehand. There has to be a 10 year project of renewal, because if it’s to be done properly, that’s how it needs to be done.”

Labour’s election embarrassments extended into London, where the Green Party toppled a huge red majority in Lewisham to take control of their third London council. Zack Polanski’s party also ousted the Labour mayor of Hackney and won the borough’s council election, as well as taking Waltham Forest from Sir Keir’s party.

In an interview with The Observer, the prime minister brushed off the threat posed by the Greens and Reform at the next general election, despite their victories in Labour areas this week.

He said: “I have a strong belief that there aren’t many people who actually want Zack Polanski or Nigel Farage as prime minister.

“I think that the mainstream majority actually want to know that we, the Government, have progressive answers to the challenges that they face on a daily basis, and we need to spell out in terms and with conviction that we do have those progressive answers.”

Sir Keir responded to the elections by giving roles to two Labour grandees on Saturday – he handed former prime minister Gordon Brown a role as special envoy on global finance and made Baroness Harriet Harman his adviser on women and girls.

They will appear at the event, returning to Harrogate from Tuesday, July 14, to Friday, July 17, at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

The event promises a packed programme of celebrity appearances, live chat shows, and agricultural showcases.

This year’s lineup for the Ariat GYS Stage includes Kelvin and Liz Fletcher of ITV’s Fletchers on the Farm, who will appear on Tuesday.

Peter Wright of Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet will take the stage on Wednesday, Jules Hudson of BBC’s Escape to the Country on Thursday, and Clarkson’s Farm star Harriet Cowan will close the week on Friday.

Kelvin and Liz Fletcher said: “We are lifelong fans of the Great Yorkshire Show and can’t wait to return again this year.

“We are looking forward to taking to the Ariat GYS Stage for the first time to share our story of running a family farm as captured on TV.”

Peter Wright will also share insights from his recent filming experiences in India.

He said: “The Great Yorkshire Show celebrates everything that the countryside has to offer, from the very best livestock in the country, the best food, and much, much more.

“There is something for everyone, but don’t just take my word for it, come and join me and see for yourself at the 167th Great Yorkshire Show.”

Jules Hudson, a regular visitor to the event, will make his debut appearance on the Ariat GYS Stage on Thursday.

He said: “Over many years now, I’ve enjoyed the rare privilege of hosting Today at the Great Yorkshire Show for Channel 5.

“In my experience, a day at the Great Yorkshire Show is a day spent in the finest of company, catching up with old friends and making many new ones.”

Daily chat shows will be hosted by TV presenter Christine Talbot at 12 noon and 3pm.

Each session will be followed by meet-and-greet opportunities with the special guests.

There will also be two fashion shows daily at 11am and 2pm, featuring leading Yorkshire and UK clothing and footwear brands.

Tickets are on sale now, with adult tickets priced at £36.50, children at £13, and family tickets at £89.

Yorkshire Agricultural Society members pay £95 for a single membership or £155 for a joint membership.

The show, organised by the registered charity Yorkshire Agricultural Society, is expected to attract 140,000 visitors.

A total of 8,500 animals will compete for top prizes, and the Innovation Zone will return, along with events hosted by the Future Farmers of Yorkshire.

Free shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes from Harrogate Bus Station to the Showground’s White Gate, starting at 7.30am daily.

For tickets, visit: https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/ticket-information/

The reality TV star sadly lost his life at the age of 35

The mother of Jake Hall’s child has paid a heartbreaking tribute just days after the TOWIE star’s death.

The former The Only Way Is Essex cast member was found dead at the age of 35 with head injuries at a holiday villa on the island, according to The Sun.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.”

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Hall, who ran a menswear brand, By Jake Hall, joined the cast of Towie in 2015, and dated co-star Chloe Lewis before quitting in 2024. He also dated Real Housewives of Cheshire star Misse Beqiri, with whom he has a daughter, River, eight.

On Saturday (May 9), Misse took to social media to pay a tribute to Hall, who she said is ‘deeply loved’. The Albanian model wrote that she promises to keep their daughter ‘safe, loved, and wrapped in the kind love you gave effortlessly’.

She captioned her tribute post with a broken heart emoji, and attached an image which said: “I never thought I would ever have to write this, and the pain of even putting these words down feels unbearable.

“There was no way you were ever supposed to go. My heart is shattered, and so is our daughter’s. You lit up every room you walked into – your smile, your charm, your energy that filled the air.

“The way you loved music, how deeply you felt every sound, your creativity, your mind, your spirit. You were so deeply loved by so many people, and seeing the love everyone has for you is both heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. Your constant mission to stop me from taking naps still makes me smile.”

Misse went on to say how she loved Hall from ‘the very first moment I saw you’, adding: “Together we created the most beautiful girl, the one you loved more than anything in this world, beyond words. She adored you – her favourite person, her daddy.

“You will be missed. I promise to keep River safe, loved, and wrapped in the kind love you gave so effortlessly. You are at peace now.”

She concluded the post by saying she thinks Hall is ‘laughing together’ with her brother, who died in 2022, and said: “You left behind your mini version, our River, and for that we are forever grateful. You will always live on through her, and you will forever be with us.”

Following his passing, a number of his co-stars took to social media to pay their respects to him. The official TOWIE social media account, wrote: “Jake was a part of the TOWIE family for a number of years and we send our very deepest sympathies to his family and friends following today’s very sad news.”

Former TOWIE co-star Vas J Morgan wrote on Instagram that his death was a ‘deeply difficult loss’ and that he wishes they had more time together. Former Made In Chelsea star Akin Solanke also posted a photo with Hall on Instagram and wrote: “If I never told you how much you inspired me, I hope you knew regardless.”

Celebrity DJ Fat Tony shared a tribute to social media and said: “Devastating news we love you @jakehall such an awful loss to the world you beautiful man x.”

Sharing a lengthy tribute, PrettyLittleThing boss Umar Kamani wrote: “Ahhh Jake. I’m going to miss you so much my friend. Your energy, your pureness, your passion, your creativity, your love and many more.

“Just 2 weeks ago we were together laughing, joking and being mischievous as we always were together. You make me smile, dance, sing and playful because your energy was so infectious.

“You were an artist, creativity that always inspired me. I looked upto you so much for so many reasons, I wish you knew how much I loved you, I really hope i showed you my love clearly.

“You loved relentlessly, your beautiful daughter, your wonderful family, I pray for them so hard in these tough times. I can’t believe we will never dance together again in this life, but I can’t wait to do it again in the next life.”

He rounded off his emotional message: “I hope you look down and see the love and adoration the world had for you, something I know you wanted so much yet you always had it. Light up paradise my friend, I love you so much.”

She said: “I am doing some more challenging the current way that we’re approaching this crisis, and I hope that this will bring forward either a bit more fight on the current leader, or some leadership hopefuls, who will come forward and say, we’ve been challenged and this is our plan, to bring forward a change, and bring forward a change in the country, and bring forward renewed respect.

Brighter days and blooming gardens can truly showcase your home at its best.

With the arrival of spring and summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to sell your home.

Brighter days and blooming gardens can truly showcase your property at its best.

Belfast Live gets the lowdown from leading estate agent, Edel Curran, Downpatrick Branch Manager of Quinn Estate Agents, with her top seven tips to help your move go smoothly and make your home stand out to prospective buyers.

Tip one – first impressions really do count

It’s all about good curb appeal. Most of us will see a house for the first time online, driving past or through an estate agent’s window meaning you have seconds to capture your buyers’ attention, so make them count!

Tip two – decluttering

Edel says: “With an astonishing eight out of ten potential buyers unable to see past other people’s possessions, clutter is a big issue. I would advise starting the ‘great declutter’ about a month before you put your house on the market. Get rid of everything you no longer need and just keep the things you want. Trust me it will really make a difference!”

Tip three – transform you kitchen into the heart of your home

A well-presented kitchen instantly appeals to buyers, making them imagine themselves settling in and preparing delicious meals. To achieve this, ensure your worktops are spotless and free from clutter; remove unnecessary items and old tea towels, leaving only the essentials.

Add a touch of warmth by brewing fresh coffee or baking bread before viewings, which creates a homely aroma and inviting atmosphere. Finish off with a vase of fresh flowers to brighten the space, and make your kitchen a welcoming, stylish centrepiece that stands out to prospective buyers.

Tip four – light

Make sure every single room in your property is presented in the best possible light. Edel tells us: “For cozy rooms like bedrooms and living rooms, I would always suggest sellers to use soft neutral colours, perhaps coupled with one strong statement colour.

“Use fresh and ironed bedlinen and cushions, with beautiful, scented candles; details matter. Create spaces that feel like a boutique hotel that you don’t want to leave, because that’s what you want buyers to feel.

“Also don’t forget to let in the light, open the curtains, open the windows so you present light, bright airy spaces as these sell really well.”

Tip five – don’t neglect your outside space

“You are selling a lifestyle that goes beyond the walls of your actual house. Think of your garden as another room and make it look as beautiful as possible; mow the lawn, tidy the weeds, hedges and shrubs, plant some flowers and freshen up with a lick of paint to make it a space your buyers can really see themselves in,” suggests Edel.

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Tip six – a practical point

If you share your home with a furry friend, arrange for them to be out of the house, perhaps on a walk with a friend, while viewings take place. You may love your furry friend but not everyone feels the same way.

Be sure to remove all pet toys, bowls, bedding and other related items from sight to create a tidy, welcoming environment. Open windows and doors to let in fresh air, and light a few scented candles to neutralise any lingering pet odours, as the smell of animals can be a major deterrent for prospective buyers.

Tip seven – and possibly the most important point

When you are decluttering don’t get rid of your personality completely, just choose some choice pieces that you can display without overwhelming the space.

Edel says: “Keeping some selected personal possessions can help prospective buyers consider how they would decorate, furnish and create their new space. The right selected items can give a feeling of welcome and warmth during viewings, enabling buyers to feel that their story can be here too.”

Quinn Estate Agents has branches in Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Carryduff and Banbridge. If you are thinking of selling your home feel free to get in touch with Edel on 028 4461 2100.

For further details about Quinn Estate Agents and to explore their full range of properties, please visit www.quinnestateagents.com.

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Robert Milkins told some home truths after losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Crucible, as he spoke about his defeat to the snooker icon at the World Seniors Championship

Robert Milkins admitted he has been guilty of “disrespecting” snooker following his elimination from the World Seniors Championship at the hands of Ronnie O’Sullivan.

The Rocket was forced to dig deep to secure his place in the final by the Milkman, who led 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 in the best-of-13 contest at the Crucible. Yet in a scrappy affair, O’Sullivan’s superior class proved decisive as he clinched a 7-5 victory.

Milkins’ exit came on the back of losing his World Snooker Tour card following a dramatic dip in form for the 2023 Welsh Open champion. Just two years ago, he reached the last 16 at the World Championship, but now faces a tough battle to reclaim his tour card through Q School.

In the wake of his defeat to O’Sullivan, Milkins conceded that he had nobody to blame but himself for his troubles. He said: “I’ve disrespected the game for too long. I was struggling to get back into it.

“There are signs of playing well but I just missed too many easy balls. It will come but I’ve got to put a couple of weeks in now before Q School.”

The 50-year-old then opened up about how he finds facing the seven-time world champion a daunting prospect. He added: “Ronnie scares the hell out of me always. I respect Ron. No other player does that to me.

“It is bad enough playing him when you are playing well. But when you are struggling, you’ve got no chance.”

The confirmation that Milkins had lost his tour card, which he first won in 1995, came after he was beaten by top amateur Patrick Whelan in World Championship qualifying.

Speaking to the Metro ahead of the World Seniors, he had said: “My heart weren’t in it [against Whelan]. And I know it’s sad because it’s such a big game. I sort of panicked a bit, even from 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, thinking, ‘What the hell is going on here?’

“He didn’t really miss much. His safety was really good. I give him a lot of credit. I thought he was very good. But it’s just up to me to get out of the rut now and try and get back to where I should be. At least on the tour.”

Meanwhile, O’Sullivan said on Saturday that playing conditions at the Crucible were far from perfect, following problems with a table earlier in the week. He said: “None of the players would make excuses, and we’re not making excuses.

“I thought me and Milkins were cueing well. But sometimes, you can fall out of position, chasing the ball. It’s hard to keep potting, especially under pressure. So I thought we did well under the conditions.”

O’Sullivan will face the winner of Saturday evening’s semi-final between Craig Steadman and Joe Perry. Sunday’s best-of-19 final, which gets under way at 12.30pm, will be shown live on Channel 5.

It’s time… here’s part of my preview. The “Don’t Blink” tag is not marketing hyperbole; it is a warning. With a combined knockout ratio that suggests the judges will have a very quiet night, this Wardley-Dubois fight is likely to be decided by who lands first and who can absorb the inevitable storm.

It remains a classic encounter between a disciplined, heavy-hitting contender in Dubois and an ultra-confident, opportunistic champion in Wardley with “destructiveness” at the core of both game plans.  

Dubois will need to prove he has moved past his previous emotional shortcomings. His power remains his trump card, but his ability to box behind the jab, as instructed by Charles, who has affirmed to The Telegraph that his charge “has all the skills and boxing ability above his opponent that should give us the win”. That belief, and those skills, will be the key to whether DDD is victorious – or not.

Meanwhile, Wardley the champion thrives on doubt. He will look to draw Dubois into a brawl early, in my opinion, testing his chin and his composure. If Wardley can force an early exchange, we could see a very short night. 

My prediction for this fight is that it could be won by the fighter who remains most tactical in the first four rounds. Expect a frantic, explosive start, but should the fight pass the halfway mark, it will become a battle of the experience of Dubois’ high-level world title fights and maintaining his fortitude versus Wardley’s ability to stay in the fight and find the equaliser at any point as the rounds wear on. I might suggest it will not go twelve rounds, but anything could happen in this fight.

For Dubois, the stakes could not be higher. A win makes him a two-time world champion at 28—a feat that would silence the critics, validate his team’s unorthodox methods, and put him right back in the conversation for undisputed honours. A loss, however, would be catastrophic, a signal that his “Dynamite” has lost its fuse.