Hassaan

I get why they had him sing something that is "current" though, because it was sort of a promotion for the film.

I don't know if I'll watch it but it'll be worth it to see Sunak put his foot in it and to see Starmer (hopefully) expose his weaknesses.

I'm not surprised Jack topped the night. Magicians do have a habit of topping the vote, particularly in recent years. Part of me did wonder if Ravi's Dream Team would get a full house from the judges. I think that was the right decision though. Side note: anyone else watch with subtitles? I notice that they jump ahead slightly sometimes, suggesting that the show is on a delay. I should probably turn it off at the result tomorrow!

I'm not sure what Starmer is going for. Is he trying to be a nicer version of the Tories to win votes? They could go aggressively the other way (and being basically the opposite of the Tories) but many would argue that wouldn't win votes. I do think childish behaviour on social media doesn't help though. There's so many things to criticise Sunak for than his footballing skills.

Simon was remarkably cold given they were his GB act, though he was right. Until they got Bruno involved, I would have said it was underwhelming, though sadly it didn't save it.

The right two went through. I think Taryn & Duo Stardust were a bit unlucky to not make the top 3. I'm amazed at the judges not dithering about with the judges vote, they tend to have a habit of that.

They're like cartoon villains. Hard to imagine we ever took them seriously.

I mean, if Reform just splits the Tory vote, that's a positive, surely? The Tories winning in 2019 was awful but I can see why they did. The Brexit thing definitely helped. They have nothing like that this time round.

I think Sunak has conjured this up so he has a line of attack for Starmer supposedly not being tough enough.

Three GB acts on the first show is interesting. I think there could be a few upsets, but that's the beauty of the live shows.

I thought it was very Saturday Night Takeaway.

They had a break in 2021. I think it's difficult to refresh a show like BGT, certainly compared to something like Strictly or I'm a Celebrity. It's series 17 so we've seen pretty much everything that we could see. Most shows on linear TV have fallen from where they were, but BGT is still the biggest show on TV right now.

I do think the standard of singing acts and stand-up comedians this year has been better than last year. Even though the GB doesn't really do anything from a format point of view, I do think 9 is too much. They haven't had the big emotional moments this year. Magic acts are always a bit hit and miss for me, but at least they've been a bit different.

Yes, I prefer the stripped week too and whenever they've done weekly semi finals before (BGT Champions and those delayed ones in 2020) it hasn't worked very well. I'm looking forward to seeing what the live shows shape up as. The acts we might deem favourites might struggle. Also, this seems to be the only online space where people who watch BGT are actually not only negative...

We should make it a rule that anyone calling for National Service should be made to do it.

I'd be amazed if it passes through, especially if their idea is to force people to do it.

I think this is exactly what they intended.

Ah, so he's just playing to Middle England now. I'm autistic so I would be medically withdrawn anyway (:D) but yeah. I don't think he's even trying to win, there's not that many people who are actually in favour of this IMO. It's just a noisy minority, most of which are probably too pissed off with the Tories now to even give them a shot.

It's interesting that we've only had one solo child winner, and that was back in 2008. No solo female winner either, they've either been part of a group or accompanied by a dog. I'd welcome a good magician winning. It's interesting with Richard Jones because I think he is a good magician but the routine in the final was his weakest. I wouldn't mind if a really good singer won. I don't think a danger act will ever win because they can be very "seen it once, seen it all". Tonight was good, I did like the GB act. I thought they were too similar to Billy and Emily until the sparks came on. As for Ace, I think his voice is very much an acquired taste though he is likeable. I think if he was in the live shows, he'd be swallowed up by the bigger vocalists already through. The returning magicians at the end - I'm not sure what went on there. It was a bizarrely sudden ending which makes me think that they're not actually competing.

When was the last time a band got a top 10 single? Probably going back to Little Mix in 2021, but for a boyband, you're probably going back to 2016 (One Direction). Westlife nearly did in 2019 (#13), and Take That nearly did in 2017 (also #13). It probably is cyclical but the only active bands seem to be the "legacy" (not keen on that word) ones, and new ones aren't really pushed forward in the same way as solo acts.

Yet somehow I feel the Tories could sneak it if they tap into the right demographic. I.e. go even nastier. Also, "a goodwill gesture"? What's even the point?

Hilariously throwing their toys out of the pram. I am worried that the non Tory parties may split the vote.

Loving the Benny Hill theme tune being played in the background on BBC News right now.

To echo myself from earlier, July 4th is such a random time to do it. Maybe they're hoping to piggyback on football fever or something.

I mean I'd love it, but mid way through the Euros? They seem like the sort of people who would want to avoid that.