Britain’s Got Talent magicians Brotherhood have been forced to pull out of tonight’s semi-finals, over apparent “health and safety” concerns.
Brotherhood sailed through the first round of the competition earlier this year, mixing traditional magic with escapology.
However, in a statement posted on their Instagram page, they revealed they will no longer be taking part in Friday night’s live show.
They said: “We’ve learned to stay humble in the good times and humble in defeat.
“We’ve worked for the last four months on an act so ambitious and out there that we’ve put our sanity, blood, sweat, fire and tears on the line.
“Through circumstance and bad luck out of our hands sadly we aren’t in a position where we can deliver what we set out to do.”
The post continued: “It kills me that we’ve failed and that we will no longer be in 2019’s @bgt competition.
“We are truly gutted that we won’t get to be in the fight but we aimed for the stars and fell short.”
A spokesperson for the show said on the matter: “The Brotherhood have had to withdraw from the Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals.
“Libby and Charlie will now be performing on Friday night’s show.”
Meanwhile, a BGT insider has suggested “health and safety” worries were the reason the performance was pulled, saying: “Producers will only allow acts to take part who they are certain are adequately prepared.”
The group later wrote: “We were not pulled from BGT for ‘not telling the show what we had planned’. We are 3 individuals utterly obsessed with perfection and professionalism. Our story is coming.”
They also shared a string of teasers revealing what they had planned had they been able to take to the stage…
Just two spots remain in this year’s BGT live final, which will be filled in the last of this year’s semi-finals.
Among those battling it out for a space will be comedian Barbara Nice, dance group Fabulous Sisters and tambourinist Gonzo.
BGT continues on ITV tonight (31 May) at 7.30pm.