Viewers had their minds blown after one contestant performed a magic trick that left the judges speechless in the third Britain’s Got Talent semi-final.

Richard Jones, 25, who is a soldier in the British Army, performed a trick using judge Amanda Holden’s autobiography.

Before getting into his act, Richard explained: “I just love the look on people’s faces when they see something that shouldn’t be possible. I know the British Army are behind me, I just hope tonight I can conjure up a winning performance.”

He asked Amanda to choose a page and a word, and then made that exact page appear as a message in a bottle which had been guarded by Simon Cowell.

Fellow judge David Walliams said: “Well it was absolutely astonishing. We had absolutely no idea how you did that. A brilliantly original trick.”

Amanda was also wowed, telling him: “I really really want to see you in the final. You fought for this country. The whole nation is behind you… it’s not a trick, it’s magic.”

Even Simon added: “You, sir, are a wizard. That has to be magic.”

Viewers too, were pretty impressed.

And they were over the moon when Richard made it through to the finals.

Also making it through to the finals was Simon’s Golden Buzzer act Boogie Storm.

The group, featuring disco-dancing Star Wars Stormtroopers, left their top supporter grinning ear-to-ear after their performance.

After they danced to a medley of Michael Jackson, Sir Tom Jones and even Swan Lake, Simon said: “We are possibly looking at the winners of Britain’s Got Talent 2016.”

Meanwhile, Vadik and the Bear left judges (and the internet!) divided at the audition stage.

The act featured Vadik the clown and a bunch of large cuddly dancing polar bears.

Judge Alesha Dixon had warned: “Do you know what, we don’t want to use our buzzers. But I hear there’s a polar bear tonight.”

Alesha then used her buzzer when Vadik was joined by a grand total of six bears on stage – as well as a large penguin holding a fish.

The group danced to a medley of Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Ice Ice Baby, and Can’t Touch This.

Simon went as far as to promise the children’s entertainer a spot at his young son’s birthday party.

He said: “Honestly. I think it’s my favourite act of the series so far. I really mean it. In eight months’ time, Eric is going to have a third birthday party, you are hired. I loved them.

“There is no other show on earth where six real polar bears are dancing to Ice Ice Baby with a clown. Incredible.”

And viewers were left wondering:

David suggested that Simon had “lost the plot” and that there was a reason the act had not been done before.

Meanwhile, dance group Khronos Agoria left judges gushing as they performed an energetic routine to Run Boy Run by Woodkid.

The act even prompted a standing ovation from Alesha and David.

Four-piece girl group Zyrah Rose performed Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain.

They were hoping to win round Simon, who was not a fan of their audition. He had said it left him “a bit cold” and did not feature enough interaction.

Josh Curnow sang Naughty Boy’s Runnin (Lose It All) and continued the streak of successful acts, with David saying he felt like he was watching the grand final already.

Flying Bebop’s space-themed drone-dancing performance to Coldplay’s A Sky Full Of Stars led to some left-field advice from Simon.

He suggested that to take the act to the next level, the drones should be piloted by mice.

Meanwhile, Morgan Connie Smith, and her song choice immediately pleased Simon as she performed her version of One Direction’s hit single History.

(Worth mentioning 1D are Cowell’s proteges after the boy band was formed on his other ITV talent show, The X Factor).

The final act of the evening was 14-year-old dancer Jack Higgins, who performed a powerful contemporary dance to I’m Alive by Sia.

The routine earned him a standing ovation from all four judges, with Simon saying: “I am very, very proud of you.”

Although when it came down to the judges’ votes, Simon chose Boogie Storm over Jack, with public vote taking Boogie Storm to the finals.

Richard and Boogie Storm will join 100 Voices Of Gospel, Mel & Jamie, Wayne Woodward and sword-swallower Alexandr Magala in the grand final of the show on Saturday.

The winner of the ITV show, now in its 10th year, will perform for the Queen at the Royal Variety Show and win a £250,000 prize.