The Force was with a group of dancing Stormtroopers who impressed Simon Cowell to become the fifth golden buzzer act on Britain’s Got Talent.
Boogie Storm performed to a medley of pop classics including Silento’s Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae), Beyonce’s Single Ladies and Psy’s Gangnam Style.
Their slickly choreographed routine incorporated signature elements from videos including Psy’s horse-riding dance and the nae nae, a dance craze which originated in Atlanta, Georgia.
Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer act Boogie Storm on Britain’s Got Talent (ITV)
Simon led the applause and fellow judges David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon also rose to their feet as the audience cheered.
After a pause, the TV mogul hit the golden buzzer and sent Boogie Storm straight into the live shows.
During his critique, Simon said: “Guys, girls, I don’t know who you are, but I literally said ‘If we could find Stormtroopers who could dance’ – seriously, I said that – ‘This show is going to go into a different league’.”
He added: “My dream has come true. Thank you.’
Mystery surrounds the identity of Boogie Storm as the group did not speak on camera before their audition or after their triumph.
But their appearance did spark some Star Wars jokes at Cowell’s expense.
David Walliams and Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent (ITV)
“Do you work for this Dark Lord?” Amanda asked two Boogie Storm members.
Ant said: “Who’d have thought Stormtroopers would get the golden buzzer …”
Co-host Dec completed the sentence: “From the Dark Lord himself?!”
“No surprise that the real-life Darth Vader voted for his troops,” quipped David.
Tumar KR perform on Britain’s Got Talent (ITV)
The show may be called Britain’s Got Talent, but that has not stopped the flow of performers from outside the UK.
Tumar KR, a group from Kyrgyzstan, took to the stage with a routine incorporating robotic-like moves. One member demonstrated just how far he can contort his body.
The sound effect chosen to accompany the dancer as he twisted his frame made the audience shriek.
Simon put his hand over his mouth, David noticeably grimaced and Ant and Dec cried out.
Vadik & The Bear (ITV)
“I don’t believe that you’re humans,” Amanda said as Tumar KR received four yeses from the panel.
Vadik & The Bear also progressed, with the entertainer from Belarus winning over the judges with his giant dancing polar bear.
Anne Klinge, from Nuremberg in Germany, told the story of a romance with her inventive foot puppetry and also walked away with four yesses.
“It was a little piece of magic,” David said.
Scott & Muriel on Britain’s Got Talent (ITV)
Scott & Muriel is an act consisting of Scott Nelson, who is originally from California, and a mannequin called Muriel.
Scott was awarded four yesses for his magic trick in which the dummy came to life – and turned into his wife.
Amanda said: “I loved it because it’s proper variety.”
The Garnett Family impressed on Britain’s Got Talent (ITV)
Singers The Garnett Family – choir teacher mother Helen, 46, and student daughters Rachel, 20, and 17-year-old twins Anna and Abigail – showcased tight harmonies.
Their rendition of Jess Glynne’s Take Me Home saw them into the next round with four yesses.
The Mimic Men are Alfie Joey, 48, from Gateshead, and Cal Halbert, 22, also from the North East of England.
Speaking before their audition, Alfie revealed that he had trained to become a priest with Dec’s brother, Dermott Donnelly.
The Mimic Men on Britain’s Got Talent (ITV)
The duo ran through a random collection of impressions including EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy, US President Barack Obama, cartoon characters Shaggy and Scooby-Doo, and Star Wars’ Yoda, and took home four yesses.
Other acts safely into the next round are musical theatre singer Rachael Wooding and The Deep Space Deviants, also known as Paul Dolman.
He performed Love Shack by The B-52s dressed as Doctor Who’s arch enemy Davros.
Britain’s Got Talent continues next week.
