Simon Cowell told drama teacher Andrew Curphey he would make a great game show host, but not a singer.

BGT Andrew Curphey. (ThamesTV/ITV)

Amanda Holden has tipped Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Andrew Curphey to become the next Stephen Mulhern.

The 38-year-old drama teacher opened the show with his singing and was again buzzed out mid-act through by head judge Simon Cowell, he told him he would be better off as a gameshow host. The rest of the judges loved Curphey’s upbeat holiday-camp compere style and Holden told him that she and Cowell agreed he reminded them of game show and Dancing On Ice host Mulhern.

The Britain's Got Talent judges loved Andrew Curphey - except for Simon Cowell who buzzed him out. (ITV)

The Britain’s Got Talent judges loved Andrew Curphey – except for Simon Cowell who buzzed him out. (ITV)
Curphey – who lives with husband Pawel and their two sons – paraded into the venue wearing a gold suit singing “We are BGT” to the tune of Sister Sledge hit We Are Family. He then sang on stage with giant gold letters spelling out his name singing Elton John’s I’m Still Standing and musical hit I Am What Am.Cowell buzzed a red ‘no’ during the act.

He told Curphey: “I really like you, as a game show host. Honestly I’m not kidding. I think you would be brilliant you’ve got a great personality, you’re really funny, I’m trying to be constructive. The singing wasn’t great.”

But judge Bruno Tonioli disagreed saying: “I love it – big loud and proud! You know how to get a party started. We all love you. Pride celebrations are starting right now!”

Alesha Dixon told him: “When I watched your audition back I was howling with laugher. Would you be on my playlist – probably not, but you make me smile and that’s what this is all about.”

Holden said: “You were a great ball of energy to open the show – I’d take game show host if I were you, ITV are watching, you’re on the right channel!”

Curphey told hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly he was not offended by Cowell’s comments. He said: “He loved it really, he’s telling Amanda now how much he loved it.”

The camera panned to Holden and Cowell whispering to one another. Holden said: “10 years ago it was Stephen Mulhern, that’s what we were saying.”

Stephen Mulhern hosts ITV gameshows including In For A Penny. (ITV)

Stephen Mulhern hosts ITV gameshows including In For A Penny. (ITV)
Viewers had mixed feelings about Holden’s comparison of Curphey to Deal Or No Deal host Mulhern.

Some were already thinking the same thing. One wrote on social media platform X: “That’s literally what I said – Andrew should join Stephen Mulhern #BGT.”

Another said: “Andrew Curphey could take over Stephen Mulhern’s job as a game host #BGT.”

But other viewers thought it was an insult to Mulhern, who rose to fame on children’s channel CITV and has been working on TV for 27 years. from 2007 to 2019 he presented spin-off show Britain’s Got More Talent.

One commented: “Amanda that was an insult to stephen mulhern !! #britainsgottalent.” Another viewer shared: “#BGT #BritainsGotTalent Dear Stephen Mulhern, I apologise on their behalf!!!!!!!!!!”

ADVERTISEMENT

And another posted: “Comparing Mullers to Andrew? Unbelievable! #BGT.”

The Britain’s Got Talent 2024 live semi-finals continue on ITV1 at 8pm on Friday 31 May.