This is the first time i've watched a full episode of BGT, and what a load of tripe it was.

The voting at the end was ridiculous. They put the number of the final act up just before voting opened, then critiqued them after the break during the voting, and then only bothered to recap the rest of the acts once that glowing critique had finished. So essentially Signature had a good half of the voting time where only they would be getting any votes, unless people had actually written down the numbers given earlier, or guessed them from their slots. I'd love to know how the breakdown changed after the number recap was given.

They should only start the voting AFTER we've had a recap. Totally unfair on every other act bar Signature tonight.

It's a great bit of trivial entertainment and I enjoy watching it but it's just not to be taken seriously because it is all manipulated. I'm sure they know exactly who's through to the final already. I suspect it's all planned out that way even from how they choose each evening's line up, so they can ensure the top 3 - and that's why the have let some dreadful acts through whilst letting truly talented people go, because they can't have people competiting against their chosen ones. Those that are middling can easily be dismissed by the judges and sway the public vote that way. They need the dreadful ones to be able to control the voting and therefore control who goes through, right the way throught to the voting manipulation by the order they appear, as you say.

Holden backed up my theory last night. I got the distinct impression they knew who the top 3 would be and it was agreed beforehand that the dog act would go through - Holden is not a very good actress.

The GBP are a predictable and gullible bunch.

Totally agree with the OP. Although I feel signature did deserve to go through, it wasn't fair to open the lines during their judges coments.

To be honest its not rocket science to write down the number of the act you want to vote for and have it on speed dial the minute the lines were opened I didnt vote last night cos i really only watch BGT as a bit of light entertainment but i'm sure die hard voters wouldnt have seen this as a problem