Andrew Curphey opened Britain’s Got Talent’s semi-final with an energetic performance which failed to impress Simon Cowell

Britain’s Got Talent viewers were confused after Amanda Holden compared an act to Stephen Mulhern.

During Thursday night’s semi-final, hosts Ant and Dec introduced judges Simon Cowell, Amanda, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli onto the stage. The likes of acrobats, singers, dancers and entertainers are hoping to make it to the final for the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.

The very first act, Andrew Curphey, hyped up the crowd with his energy as he sang hit songs and danced around the stage. Complete with dancers and confetti, everyone was clapping along… except for notoriously grumpy Simon – who wasn’t a big fan of the act and pressed the red cross.

Simon said Andrew’s singing wasn’t that good and confessed he would be better as a game show host. “I really like you as a game show host,” he said. Amanda shared the sentiment and added a few compliments. She said: “You were a fantastic ball of energy to open the show. It’s like you’ve already got your own fanbase. I’d take gameshow host If I were you.”

Andrew was the first to perform on Thursday(Image: Dymond/Thames/REX/Shutterstock) 

While Ant and Dec congratulated the act, Simon and Amanda whispered to each other. She then told Andrew: “10 years ago, this was Stephen Mulhern. 10 years ago. Stephen Mulhern.” The comment confused viewers at home who quickly took to social media to correct the BGT judge.

Stephen’s career started in the mid-90s and he hosted the likes of BGT, Catchphrase, Finger Tips in the 90s and Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown. One user posted: “Did Stephen Mulherne go on #BGT and sing very badly 10 years ago?” Another posted: “10 years ago that was Stephen Mulhern? This was in 1998? 26 years ago,” along with a throwback photo of the presenter.

Another person commented: “Imagine telling someone they’re a young Stephen Mulhern and expecting them to be grateful.” While one posted: “I didn’t think he was brilliant he was ok though….not like Stephen mulhern though lol.”

“Amanda proving yet again how little the judges know about “talent“. To compare him to Stephen Mulhern is an absolute insult,” one said. During the audition, Andrew received the rede buzzer from Simon but he was too busy having a blast to notice Simon’s disapproval.

The 37-year-old admitted to The Express that he has stars in his eyes following his audition as he claimed he “didn’t even notice” Simon’s disapproving buzzer. “I didn’t notice [the buzzer]. I was too busy having the time of my life”, he told the publication. “Everyone was up dancing and the other three judges were having a party with me. I didn’t process it at that moment in time, because I just had a good time, and the atmosphere was amazing.”