Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions viewers were left seething after Jai McDowall missed out on a spot in the final.
The 33-year-old singer returned to the Britain’s Got Talent stage after winning the fifth season back in 2011, performing a stunning rendition of I’ll Never Love Again.
It was a performance which saw judge Simon Cowell forced to confront the star after he previously stated he was ‘disappointed’ Jai won the competition.
Speaking to Jai, Simon said: ‘So, 2011. I remember my issue at the time was I was struggling to find out where you fit into the market.
‘The fact that I never gave you support during or after the show and you have the guts to come back and prove a point to me: you’ve grown in stature and in confidence and that was an amazing performance.
‘I owe you an apology for not giving you the support you needed at the time but I also respect the fact you’ve come back and made me look like an idiot and you look fantastic. I could not be more thrilled so here’s the standing ovation I should have given you.’
Despite being an incredible moment for Jai, it was bittersweet – with the singer failing to make it through to the final.
Some people weren’t exactly happy about that decision.
Jai should of gone through #BGT
— Jade (@JadeHogan_1995) September 7, 2019
No lost voice guy or Jai in the top 3. Surprising. #bgt #bgtchampions
— michael. ?️? (@MichaelM238) September 7, 2019
#bgt is swiftly going down in my estimation! What is with these so called super fans? No @LostVoiceGuy in the top three no @Jai_McDowall either! They can’t see the talent smacking them in the face.
— Wes Mackay (@wesmackay) September 7, 2019
@Jai_McDowall should have gone through.
Real, pure talent.But no, put the Mersey Girls through. Stupidity.#BGTChampions #BGT
— Rob O’Donnell (@RobODonnell93) September 7, 2019
Well i am shook @Jai_McDowall didn’t make the top 3 ? ppl just don’t know what talent is anymore #BGT #BGTChampions
— ? Rebel (@rebelthdarkness) September 7, 2019
The MerseyGirls were sent through to the final, while Alexa Lauenburger earned Ant and Dec’s golden buzzer.
Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions continues next Saturday at 8.15pm on ITV.
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