Dance troupe MerseyGirls staged an emotional return to Britain’s Got Talent on Saturday, two years after Simon Cowell paid for spinal surgery for member Julia Carlile.
The group earned a place in the final of The Champions spin-off series after reducing all four judges and viewers at home to tears.
Julia, who first appeared on BGT in 2017, was told she would never dance again ahead of an operation for scoliosis, prompting Simon to intervene and pay for her to have the surgery done in America.
As she returned to the stage with her fellow dancers, the judges watched in amazement as she performed back bends and back flips as part of a high-energy routine.
A visibly upset Simon told them after the performance: “It is one person’s strength, and beyond that is the friendship and support; the fact you stayed together and supported each other and the fact you were able to came back tonight – it’s everything.”
David Walliams said: “This is really emotional. We are all absolutely in bits, I’m sure the nation is too. Well done girls, every one of you made something really special.”
Alesha Dixon, who hit the golden buzzer for the group in 2017, said: “If I had another golden buzzer I would have pressed it again. When you did the back flip across stage it made my heart soar,” while Amanda Holden hailed Carlile as “a walking miracle, a dancing, back-flipping miracle”.
She added: “I think it’s one of the most emotional performances we have ever had on the show and all you girls are absolutely outstanding dancers.”
Overcome by emotion on stage Julia replied: “I literally thought by now I would be at home, not dancing for the rest of my life. Here I am at Wembley, back flipping with my best friends, it’s crazy.
“I couldn’t walk two years ago and now I’m here.”
The moment also had viewers watching at home in tears...
The group were chosen for a place in the final by the live audience at Wembley Arena, beating other hopefuls including Jai McDowall, who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2011 and last year’s winner Lost Voice Guy.
Jai’s return saw Simon apologise for not supporting him after he won the show.
Joining MerseyGirls in the final will be Germany’s Got Talent winner Alexa Lauenburger and her eight dancing dogs, who earned their place after hosts Ant & Dec hit the golden buzzer.
They beat off competition from America’s Got Talent finalist Deadly Games, Italy’s Got Talent winner Antonio Sorgentone, Asia’s Got Talent finalists Gao and Liu and America’s Got Talent winner Paul Zerdin, as well as Britain’s Got Talent finalists 100 Voices Of Gospel.
Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions continues next Saturday at 8.15pm on ITV.