ST HELENS youngster Jamie Leahey is through to the final of Britain's Got Talent.
The youngster was hailed a born entertainer after dazzling in the semi-final.
Jamie was in the final three following a public vote but after opera singer Maxwell Thorpe was crowned the semi-final winner it was a choice between the Rainford schoolboy and magician Junwoo.
After both acts received two votes from the judges it went back to the original public vote - and Jamie came out on top.
He will be one of 10 acts in Sunday night's final.
Earlier Jamie, aged 13, received a standing ovation for his ventriloquism act with chicken puppet Chuck.
Judges were full or praise for the schoolboy who took centre stage in the semi-final moments after the creepy witch act had left the audience and judges spooked.
🐔 Chuck's his name! 🐔 And now we'll be singing this ALL night 🤣
— BGT (@BGT) May 30, 2022
Click here for Jamie Leahey's #BGT Semi-Final performance: https://t.co/8doD6oUxpo#BritainsGotTalent pic.twitter.com/Vzf08r5b3i
Reacting to Jamie’s performance, Alesha Dixon said: “The light relief we all needed - thank you so much.
“You were fabulous Jamie - your singing voice is amazing. Well done - another brilliant performance.”
What the BGT judges said
Amanda Holden, meanwhile, said Jamie would fit the bill at the Royal Variety Show: “You brightened up the whole show - you are a very talented, young man.
“Ventriloquism is a very difficult genre. You have a very slick act - a very professional act - I completely believe in you and Chuck.
“And honestly this is the kind of thing I’d like to see on the Royal Variety Show.”
'A lot of people will be voting for you'
Simon Cowell said Jamie had taken it up a notch from his first audition, saying: “Semi-finals and finals about are you able to take a step up.
“You were good in your first audition - and you were way better tonight.
“Cheeky and charming - people like this kind of act.”
After asking Jamie where he came from, to which the teenager replied St Helens, Cowell added: “There are an awful lot of people who will be voting for you after this because they are going to want to see you do well.
“You did really well - and no nerves.”
'A born entertainer'
David Walliams joked: "You remind me of myself stage if I had been funny!”
He then paid the youngster a huge compliment: “You are brilliantly talented - a born entertainer and are going to have a brilliant career.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here