By Jason Chester
Published: 15:08 EST, 28 May 2014 | Updated: 16:29 EST, 28 May 2014
On an otherwise mediocre night it was classical singer Lucy Kay who won an automatic place in the semi-final with a stunning performance that had the judging panel on their feet.
With a second spot up for grabs it was left to Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon to pick a second semi-finalist from Cartel and high-heeled dance trio Yannis Marshall, Arnaud and Medhi.
But it would be the latter who claimed the second spot after dividing the judging panel - leaving it down to the public vote.
Success: Lucy Kay looks pensive ahead of Wednesday evening's semi-final result on Britain's Got Talent
Final three: Lucy battled it out for one of two spots with Cartel and Yannis Marshall, Arnaud and Medhi
Delighted: Yannis Marshall, Arnaud and Medhi can't conceal their smiles after learning that they are through
'I love Cartel, I loved their story, I loved the way you brought Jamie back but I couldn't say no to three Frenchmen in high heels,' conceded David.
Added Aesha: 'I have to go with who I thought have the slickest performance and that was Yannis.'
With Amanda and Cowell both opting for Cartel, it was left to the public draw - which fell favourably for Yannis and his fellow dancers.
Lucy - who looked stunning in a sweeping blue gown - had the judges on their feet with a memorable penultimate performance after an evening of general indifference.
Stunned: Lucy can't believe it as the result is announced
Overwhelmed: Lucy is ecstatic after hearing that she is through to the Britain's Got Talent semi-final
Highlight: Stunning Lucy Kay delighted the judging panel, winning a standing ovation for another memorable performance
'Incredible,' said Simon. 'You literally saved the show tonight. I was on my way home and then you came back... you just came out, you looked like a star, you sang like a star and I'm just so happy we found you on this show. Incredible.'
Added David: 'If I was Simon Cowell I would be signing you up tonight.'
With two semi-finals over the initially third kicked off in style, quite literally, with judges Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden upping the style stakes in wildly contrasting ensembles.
Former Misteeq star Alesha caught the eye in a sequined minidress with fringed hems as she made her way onto the stage at London's Fountain Studios.
My time: Songstress Lucy Kay wowed with her semi-final performance
Striking: The classical singer caught the eye in a sweeping indigo gown during Wednesday evening's show
Giving her all: It was a stunning performance from Lucy
Conversely, Amanda opted for an elegant lilac evening gown with distinctive embellishments on both shoulder as she took to her seat ahead of the half-way point on semi-final week.
First up was London based Crazy Rouge, the glamorous dance troupe with big ambitions to win the hit ITV1 show.
Their performance conjured a sense of immediacy with three sequin clad dancers cavorting on the judges desk before the group kicked off a lively performance.
As the male members of the group peeled off their shirts to reveal individually toned torsos the crowd - and female judges Amanda and Alesha - screamed in delight.
Here they come: Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams take to the stage for Britain's Got Talent on Wednesday evening
Here we go: Crazy Rouge strut their stuff on Wednesday evening
Hopeful: The group admit that havjng the chance to perform in front of Royalty would be 'a dream come true'
Giving it their all: The male members of the audience delighted Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon by stripping off to reveal their hunky torsos
Steady on: Both female judges got excited as the male members of opening act Crazy Rouge took their tops off
'I loved your outfits, loved your music choices, I thought it was a really good opener,' said Alesha.
Added Simon: 'You kinda just feel that you must have children you lot, because you're all so good looking. This is to find an act for the Royal family - would the Royal family like to see this? Yes, they would.
Next up was Ellis Chick, and the 12-year-old Bristolian - a self-confessed David Walliams fan - was keen to impress as he took to the stage in a smart tuxedo.
Here he comes: Ellis Chick takes to the stage in a smart tuxedo suit on Wednesday evening
Belting it out: Ellis, 12, performed a rendition of Cry Me A River, the track made famous by Julie London in 1955
Next up: Ventriloquist Sam Jones takes to the stage on Wednesday evening
Performing the Julie London classic Cry Me A River, the youngster won rapturous applause - and positive critiques from the judging panel.
'That was such a big performance from someone so small,' said Alesha before conceding that he needed help with his 'mic control.'
'I think you are a born little entertainer' said Simon, adding: 'I think you came from the auditions to the semi-final with a better song and you're a born entertainer.'
The jury's out: Sam's stuttering performance failed to win over the judges, who felt it wasn't as good as his audition
High hopes: But Sam struggled during Wednesday's show
Questionable: The judges expressions said it all
Third semi-finalist to take to the stage was ventriloquist Sam Jones, the 21-year-old who previously admitted that ventriloquism helped him manage his tourettes syndrome.
Cowell's baby son Eric provided the inspiration for some of Sam's opening gags, amongst them one about knowing he was the mogul's baby because he 'wears his nappy really high.'
It was a stuttering performance, and speaking as it came to an end, Amanda told him she didn't think the performance was as good as his audition.
'I don't think the material was great,' agreed Simon. 'It's just one of those things.'
Us girls: Golden Buzzer act Reafformed performed a version of Beyoncé's End Of Time
Let's dance: The trip won rave reviews for their lively performance on Wednesday evening
Highlight: The girls proved to be one of the few memorable acts during the show
Hopeful:L The three girls take in the judges critique following their performance on Wednesday evening
Added Alesha: 'I'm sorry, the material was very lacklustre. It wasn't as good as your audition but you should be very proud anyway.'
It was Reafformed, Alesha's Golden Buzzer act, who followed - and the London based trio performed an ambitious version of Beyoncé hit End Of Time.
'You did your selves proud, you did our Alesha proud,' raved Amanda. 'Your harmonies were faultless. I honestly think you could have a future in the recording industry.'
Quirky: Offbeat performance artist Brian Chan was next up
Divisive: The Scottish artist once again left the judges perplexed with his avant garde performance on Wednesday night
Bizarre: Dancers dressed as street artists take to the stage during Brian's performance
'You should be so proud of yourselves,' added Alesha. 'I think you're on a journey, this is the beginning of this journey, you did yourselves proud.'
Divisive avant garde artist Brian Chan had the unenviable task of following their act, and the Scot's offbeat, quirky performance art once again left the judges perplexed - and gave him two buzzes from Simon and Amanda.
'What the bloody hell was that?' said Simon. 'I don't want to be rude but I have no idea what that was, said Simon.
Our time: Cartel take to the stage for their semi-final performance
Look who's back: Beleaguered dancer Jamie makes a surprise appearance onstage
Back together: The five dancers turn out a lively performance
'Even though I like some of the accessories you've got there's lots of stuff going on, but just not enough,' added Amanda.
Dance troupe Cartel had a surprise in store for Cowell by performing WITH Jamie, who was originally thought to have left the band after being criticized by the mogul for being 'too old' during an otherwise successful audition.
However, Alesha wasn't altogether impressed with his return.
Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Rosie and Kitty performed the Motown staple
All in the family: The mother daughter act won praise for their performance of the hit track
'It's lovely to see you back, but you were lagging during that performance,' said Alesha. 'For me the choreography and the dancing just wasn't at the level I wold expect.'
'You're like the Rocky of the dance world, joked Simon, telling Jamie: 'Sometimes it's better to be behind the scenes than in the spotlight.'
Mother and daughter singing duo Kitty and Rosie were keen to impress with a version of Ain't No Mountain High Enough - the Motown staple originally sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
'You scrub up so well - you look amazing,' raved Amanda. 'I was saying to Alesha, you look like the Kardashians!'
'It is like a hen night performance,' added Simon without charity. 'You are going to be touring the world with that but it was a bit like a night out.'
Last up: Final act Yannis Marshall, Arnaud and Medhi once again took to the stage in their trademark high-heels to the opening strains of Bad Girls by Donna Summer
Lively: The act work their way through another memorable performance on Wednesday night
Side by side: The group were hopeful of their chances at winning the competition
Final act Yannis Marshall, Arnaud and Medhi once again took to the stage in their trademark high-heels to the opening strains of Bad Girls by Donna Summer.
'I think that you are the cherry on the top of the nuttiest show we have ever done on Britain's Got Talent,' said Simon.
'You are all stars and it was a brilliantly original act,' added David. 'It was fabulous.'
Britain's Got Talent continues on Thursday May 29 at 7:30pm on ITV1.
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