By Jason Chester
Published: 15:11 EST, 29 May 2014 | Updated: 00:10 EST, 30 May 2014
They've already developed international appeal having made an appearance on US talk show Ellen, and young rap duo Bars and Melody capped an incredible two weeks on Thursday evening by winning a spot in the Britain's Got Talent final.
The two pals could barely contain themselves after hearing the news, which ensures they take their place in next Saturday's show.
With one other final place up for grabs on the night, judges Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden were charged with the task of choosing between the Innova Irish Dance Company and plummy violinist Lettice Rowbotham.
We're through! Bars and Melody can't believe it after hearing they'd won an automatic place in the Britain's Got Talent final on Thursday evening
Hanging in the balance: The Innova Irish Dance Company, Lettice Rowbotham and Bars and Melody made up the final three
In shock: Lettice fights back tears after hearing she's through on the public vote
'I love you both equally so to even things out I'm going for Innova to even it out,' said Alesha after David opted for Lettice.
With Amanda also voting for Innova the casting vote was left to Simon, who conceded that Lettice's performance wasn't her best.
'But you're really fantastic and I think with the right production you'd do great,' he added, before giving her his vote - meaning it was once again left to the public vote, which fell in her favour.
Here they come: Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams take to the stage for the last Britain's Got Talent semi-final
The jury's out: Alesha Dixon matched her polka dot blouse with a black and gold print brocade skirt and matching strappy heels for the last Britain's Got Talent semi-final
A tale of two outfits: Amanda and Alesha once again wore wildly contrasting ensembles on Thursday evening
As the semi-final kicked off on Thursday night Alesha conceded they were shaping up for a 'really strong final' - but, for once, her chosen ensemble left a lot to be desired.
The TV personality matched a breezy polka dot blouse with a striking mini-skirt and heels as she took to the stage at London's Fountain Studios with fellow judges Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Britain's Got Talent supremo Simon Cowell.
Wednesday's show saw classical singer Lucy Kay win automatic qualification for the grand final, and the Innova Irish Dance Company hoped to emulate that success after being handed the task of opening the show.
Opening act: But the Innova Irish Dance Company won mixed reviews from the judging panel
They don't care: The Irish dance troupe performed to a medley of hits, amongst them the number one hit from Swedish duo Icona Pop
The dance troupe wore matching red ensembles as they jigged to a medley of tracks, amongst them I Don't Care by Icona Pop and Can't Hold Us by Macklemore.
'What an amazing start to the show,' said David. 'You've not only made Irish dancing cool that was a really imaginative routine... as soon as I get home tonight I'm going to put on a dress like that and Irish dance!'
'It was good, but I have two issues,' concluded Simon. 'One I think there should be more of you. I also think you need a lead star for something like this to work.
Barcelona or bust: Kieran and Sarah take to the stage on Thursday evening
Hopeful: The couple were keen to impress with their version of operatic pop crossover Barcelona
Our time: But the performance generated a mediocre response from the judging panel on Thursday evening
To a backdrop of jeers he added: 'You look like the back up and I'm kind of waiting for the star... without those two aspects its not really going to go anywhere.'
Opera duo Kieran and Sarah were next, and they were keen to win favourable comments with a rendition of operatic pop crossover Barcelona, the track originally performed by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe.
With the stage layered with smoke, the couple soaked up rapturous applause from the audience before taking in the judges comments.
Impressive Pyroterra take to the stage on Thursday evening
Here we go: But judge Amanda Holden said she 'wanted more danger' from the Czech group's performance
'It really did knock my socks off at the end but I feel as if it's all got a little bit grown up,' said Amanda. 'Before it was a little bit more relaxed and a little bit more charming.'
Simon conceded, adding - without charm - that they were better suited to a cruise liner than a recording studio because their voices 'aren't strong enough to sing that song.'
After song came pyrotechnics courtesy of third act Pyroterra, and the Czech entertainers conjured a lively, theatrical display with their obligatory us of fire.
No pressure: It's Toju's chance to shine on Thursday evening
Funny guy: The comedian had a lot to prove having been put through to the semi-final as Ant and Dec's Golden Buzzer act
Pick me: Toju drinks in the applause after his performance
'Well done.' said Amanda. 'It was a spectacle to watch, but to be honest I wanted more danger.'
Added David: 'It's a brilliant routine and it's something we've not really seen before on Britain's Got Talent.'
Comedian Toju, whose billing as Ant & Dec's Golden Buzzer act added an element of expectancy, danced onto the stage before launching into his act.
Cowell, not present at Toju's original audition, offered a mixed response.
My turn: Supermarket worker Eva Iglesias takes to thew stage on Thursday evening's Britain's Got Talent semi-final
Here we go: The supermarket worker performed an impressive rendition of Jennifer Hudson hit And I Am Telling You
Poweful: Eva's performance won positive responses from the judging panel on Thursday evening
'This is the first time I saw you act,' he said. 'I thought it was okay... I loved the whole Popeye thing. I thought your impressions were better than your jokes.'
'Your stage presence was brilliant,' added Alesha. 'You've paid your dues, you did your time and I'm so glads the boys pressed the buzzer. '
Supermarket worker Eve Iglesies upped the tempo with an impressive rendition of Jennifer Hudson hit And I Am Telling You.
Cheesy: Allan Turner-Ward takes to the stage with his rendition of European dance hit Shake Your Knees
He's pleased: But the judges didn't share in Allan's enthusiasm as he belted out his one and only hit
Dodgy: Allan scored number one hit in Germany and Austria with the track in 1999, but it went down like a lead balloon with the judging panel on Thursday evening
Her performance had the studio audience - and three judges in David, Alesha and Amanda - on their feet.
'You are a force of nature!' raved David as it drew to a close. 'It really blew the roof off the joint, well done.'
Added Amanda: 'You're a pocket rocket - you've got so much fire inside you... you've got a really great voice for anthems,. Well done.
Impressive: It was another lively display from Ukrainian dance act Light Balance
Let's dance: The group impressed the judging panel with their intricately choreographed routine on Thursday evening's semi-final show
Incredible: It was a successful night for Light Balance
'I thought the arrangement of the music in the beginning was very old fashioned,' concluded Simon. 'The part I loved was at the end when I could hear the rawness in your voice. So okay at the beginning, great at the end.'
Divisive Bournemouth based DJ Allan Turner-Ward was hoping for redemption with a performance of cheesy self-produced dance track Shake The Knees - the track that scored him a number one hit in Germany and Austria when it was first released in 1999.
'Didn't work for me, darling.' said Alesha bluntly. 'I didn't like the song at all.'
Popular: Likeable youngsters Bars and Melody took to the stage with an adapted version of P. Diddy hit I'll Be Missing You
Going down a storm: The reworked version of the rap staple won rave reviews from the judging panel on Thursday evening
Close: The rappers admitted they were more like brothers than pals ahead of their performance on Thursday evening
'I like you Allan.' added Simon. 'I think you are a fantastic plonker - I mean that in the nicest possible way. I find you fascinating.'
Ukrainian entertainers Light Balance were charged with following Turner-Ward -and they did so with aplomb thanks to another lively, intricately choreographed performance.
'I didn't know how you were going to possibly top your audition but I honestly did,' said a stunned Amanda. 'You were absolutely fantastic. There's so much depth to this act - absolutely bloody brilliant.
With Allan in mind Simon added: 'You may have saved the show, what with who preceded you.'
'The energy was brilliant,' agreed Alesha Dixon. 'That is more like it.'
Final act: Lettice Rowbatham turned in a memorable last performance as the semi0-final stage of the competition drew to a close on Thursday night
What a way to go out: The musician's contemporary performance with her violin won encouraging responses from the judges - particularly Amanda, Alesha and David
Interesting: It was another memorable performance from Lettice Rowbotham as semi-final week drew to a close
Let me entertain you: Lettice rounds off her performance with a final flourish before taking in the judges comments
Next up were Bars and Melody, the Golden Buzzer act saved by Simon - and the two pals were still on a high after traveling to the United States for an appearance on the widely watched Ellen show.
Taking to the stage with an adapted version of P. Diddy hit I'll Be Missing You, the young rappers scored welcoming responses from the judges.
'I think you guys are on your way to something really special,' raved Alesha.
Added an impressed Simon: 'I think they did amazing. This is a very difficult song to sing on the chorus. The rap was amazing, the message was great. What I love anbpout you two is that you're real.. you're so likeable.'
Final act Lettice Rowbotham - a big hit at her audition in Birmingham - closed proceedings with another modernistic performance after taking to the London stage with her violin.
'It would be lovely to see someone like yourself in the final,' said Alesha.
'I know you take your music seriously and I don't thin we should forget that,' said Amanda. 'You're personality sometimes overflows and I don't want that to get in the way.'
Tough job: The judging panel were tasked with the job of running the rile over the final nine semi-final contestants on Thursday evening
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