ITV Britain’s Got Talent fans vent fury at show as 8-year-old magician forced to withdraw live on air: ‘Too young!’
Britain’s Got Talent fans have been left furious after the first live semi-final descended into chaos following eight-year-old magician Teddy Magic’s withdrawal.
Hosts Ant and Dec announced the end of the acts over half an hour before the show was scheduled to finish at 9pm due to the last-minute shake-up.
The presenting duo told viewers that Teddy Magic would no longer be taking to the stage during the evening’s programme.
However, they assured audiences that the young magician should return in the coming weekends to perform for Simon Cowell and his fellow BGT judges.
The unexpected withdrawal was just one of multiple disruptions that plagued the live show, leaving judges and viewers alike stunned.
The drama began when Ant and Dec announced that Teddy, who was scheduled as the second act, “wasn’t ready” to perform.
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“Now, Teddy isn’t quite ready backstage yet. He hasn’t got his magic up and ready yet, so we’ll chat to you judges,” Ant explained to the audience.
Dec added they were going to have a “little change of plan” while Teddy got “himself ready and composed backstage.”
Cowell appeared visibly annoyed by the disruption, questioning: “Hang on, so the act’s not ready? It’s okay, it’s live.”
Ant quickly defended the young performer, quipping: “And he’s only eight years old, so back off, man!”
The hosts then brought forward the third act, Vinnie McKee, to perform in Teddy’s place.
The chaos continued just minutes later when the show faced yet another disruption with LED dance and illusion act The Blackouts.
Technical difficulties forced another delay, with Ant and Dec having to announce this second issue to the audience.
Instead of proceeding with the performance, they cut to the judges for more impromptu conversation – Amanda Holden was forced to pad out time by discussing her Golden Buzzer duty.
Once again, Cowell appeared “enraged” as the technical issues with The Blackouts followed the earlier disruption with Teddy Magic.
While several fans hit out at the chaotic proceedings, others took aim at the show’s duty of care and entry requirements given an eight-year-old was forced to pull out.
Several took to social media to urge the show to reconsider it’s policy regarding young contestants, especially given the magician isn’t the only child performer in BGT history to succumb to the pressure.
“Real shambles tonight, can’t hear the judges or the acts due audience screaming for the golden buzzer! Poor 8 yr old struggling getting on stage. Maybe age restrictions are needed in future #BGT,” one X user suggested.
“Really should be a minimum age requirement for sole acts. 8 years old is too young! #BGT,” a second agreed.
“I hope Teddy is alright…Last minute nerves perhaps? He’s only 8 #BGT,” added a third.
While a fourth agreed: “I don’t think the little magician should perform too much pressure on such a young kid man. Needs to be an age limit teenager and above maybe #BGT.”
And a fifth weighed in: “I thought there was an age limit on this show, especially for the live shows, to avoid situations like this?
I hope Teddy is okay. Ant & Dec yet again prove their professionalism, knowing how to fill up the void and get the show going when things don’t go to plan. #BGT
— Philip Aston 🏎4️⃣4️⃣ 🌍 🇺🇦 ☮️ (@philipaston44) April 26, 2025
“Unfair to put so much pressure on a child. #BritainsGotTalent #BGT.”
A sixth concurred: “I hope little Teddy was ok. I think children should only be able to apply age 11+. An adult performer would be nervous and overwhelmed in a live show never mind an 8 yr old child. #BGT.” (sic)