ITV Britain’s Got Talent fans left enraged as Simon Cowell ‘names’ winner

Britain’s Got Talent fans were left reeling after Simon Cowell told magician Jack Rhodes he’s the favourite to win it.

After his display tonight wowed the judges, the 26-year-old didn’t get as much love on social media after his magic comedy act drew a mixed response. But that didn’t stop Simon from telling him: “I think you, right now, are the favourite to win the entire competition – it was that good. You really are one in a million. That was jaw-dropping.”

Ant and Dec asked him what he thought of the comments: “No pressure eh?” he smiled. “My head’s gone. I’m used to making videos in my garage. I’m a weird hermit crab. I’m not used to this at all.” But not everyone agreed with what Simon said and many weren’t impressed at all as they watched on from home.

One said: “I was looking forward to Jack Rhodes but I was very disappointed. The explosion seemed delayed so he clearly ran to get behind that TV. Just felt disappointed”. Someone else put: “Oh Jack finished I nearly fell asleep” A third tweeted: “Sorry Jack the magician that was poor … tunnels under the stage obviously.”

Some loved it, and one fan said: “Jack Rhodes is a clever guy, he’s funny and can work a crowd. A natural and I hope this lad wins tonight and I think he could win the event.” Another chimed in and said: “Solid magic act with plenty of comedy thrown in. Funnier than some of the winners we’ve had in fact.”

While chatting to OK! Magazine just hours before, Jack revealed that he’s going to send the presenters something in the post as thanks for their support during his audition. “It’s great, I’ve got three dads now,” he laughed. “I don’t know what to do with them all – Father’s Day is getting expensive with all the cards. I will be getting each one of them a card this year.”

While his dad may not be in the audience for a second time, Jack’s family and friends will be watching from home and his wife will be in the audience, too. “She will be there and probably more nervous than me,” he added. The friends supporting him include all his mates from his previous job as a nuclear engineer in Lancashire, a job he left in January to pursue magic full time. “I got a text in the group work chat saying ‘the funniest thing about your act is when you claim to be a nuclear engineer!’ I used to spend all dinner times doing tricks for people in the office, and we’d have Magic Wednesdays where I’d do a little bit of a show, they were always supportive of me,” he says.

The magician – who says his act for the semi final is “unlike anything that has been done before, it’s brand new and I’m super excited, and it’s also probably the most difficult thing I have done” – made the tough decision to leave the security of his engineering job to compete in Britain’s Got Talent.