London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jul 04, 2026

Simon Cowell 'breaks rules' after Bruno Tonioli left fighting back tears

Simon Cowell admitted breaking the rules on Britain's Got Talent when an emotional performance left all the judges tearing up.

The media mogul, after Bruno Tonioli insisted he couldn't press the Golden Buzzer for a third time, went on to throw the rulebook out the window and sent the act straight through to the semi-finals.

Concluding Saturday's round of auditions, dance group Unity performed an 'astonishing' routine to Wrabel's The Village.

Aged 16-25, the group of college friends performed a piece about 'being told that you can't or you're not enough'.

Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden, alongside Bruno and Simon, were left visibly emotional at the performance, with the former Strictly Come Dancing judge tearing up.

The powerful act saw one auditionee tell the audience: 'I'm Declan, and labels don't define me, I push the gender boundaries but don't allow discrimination to change who I am.

'People stare and say things, they try to label me, they say I can't be who I am, I will.'

Simon Cowell threw the rule back out the window

The incredible performance was awarded a Golden Buzzer

Amanda Holden grew emotional


Another said: 'I'm Junior, growing up I was bullied for my love of dance.

'Dancing makes me feel free, and allows me to act out my feelings in a safe place.

'Bullies ruined this, I was beaten up and called names, all because a boy loved to dance.'

His comments left many in the audience tearing up, while dancer Bruno was left fighting back tears as Amanda's eyes glossed over.

At the end of the incredible performance, with all four judges giving them a standing ovation, the crowd were screaming: 'Golden Nuzzer.'

'You can be anything and anyone you want to be in life, the message is loud and clear, the execution artistically, your choreography was superb,' Bruno praised.

Bruno Tonioli fought back tears

Simon pressed the Buzzer at the last minute

Unity was sent soaring through to the semi-finals


'There aren't any golds left,' Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly began backstage.

Meanwhile Bruno told his fellow judges: 'I've already done it twice, I can't anymore.'

Simon added: 'I thought that actually was astonishing - the way that you got your message across, it was so strong.

'It was an audition I will never forget.

'What you've done, you've done it your way.'

He then said: 'We don't have any Golden Buzzers left... but sometimes I feel you should break the rules.'

The former X Factor judge then sent the act soaring through to the semi-finals, as Dec said: 'I don't know what's going on anymore!'

Simon added: 'Honestly you deserve that Golden Buzzer, that was absolutely beautiful.'

#ANT 
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Government Consults International Partners on Maritime Trade Security and Energy Market Stability
Rare Revolutionary-Era Documents Discovered by UK Archives and Undergoing Authentication
UK Consumer Confidence Remains Deep in Negative Territory as Household Spending Stays Cautious
Transport for London Warns of Severe Disruption as Major Events Converge in Central London
NHS and Social Care Sectors Face Ongoing Recruitment Shortages Amid Persistent Workforce Gaps
Rising Energy Costs Drive Price Pressures Across UK Retail and Service Sectors
Competition and Markets Authority Expands Review of Artificial Intelligence Impact on UK Media Markets
UK Parliamentary Committees Intensify Scrutiny of National Security and Industrial Policy Legislation
Bank of England Faces Persistent Inflation Pressure as Rate Cut Expectations Fade
UK Public Finances Under Pressure as Borrowing Exceeds Forecast and Debt Nears 95% of GDP
Major Police Deployment Across Central London as Mass Demonstrations and Pride Parade Converge
Large-Scale Police Dispersal Powers Activated in Liverpool Ahead of Anti-Immigration Protests and Counter-Demonstrations
Luxury bags take over the World Cup: style, status symbol, or just showing off?
National Productivity Institute Highlights Weak Business Investment Outside Southern England
UK High Court Orders Reassessment of Environmental Impact in Major Highway Project
UK Cyber Security Centre Warns of Rising Threat From State-Sponsored Digital Espionage
UK Education Secretary Launches National Reform of Apprenticeships and Vocational Training
Financial Conduct Authority Tightens Climate Risk Disclosure Requirements for Listed Firms
Rail Union Suspends Planned Strike Action to Enter Formal Negotiations With Operators
Northern Ireland Businesses Seek Clarity Over Post-Brexit Trade Rules
Welsh Government Launches Regional Growth Plan Targeting Transport and Digital Infrastructure
North Sea Wind Sector Attracts £5 Billion Investment Amid Expansion of Offshore Capacity
Scotland and UK Governments Establish New Framework for Coordinated Investment in Energy and Infrastructure
UK Government Launches Major Immigration and Border Policy Overhaul Review
Bank of England Signals Interest Rates to Remain Elevated Despite Easing Inflation Pressures
National Health Service Warns of Severe Winter Capacity Strain Across Hospital Trusts
Chancellor Orders Urgent Treasury Review Amid Concerns Over Structural Public Finance Gap
Prime Minister Unveils Sweeping Legislative Programme Focused on Housing, Health Service Reform and State Energy Plan
UK Parliamentary Committee Launches Inquiry Into Falling Primary School Rolls and Public Service Impact
UK House of Lords Debates Electoral Commission Powers and Political Finance Reform
UK Parliament Considers Expanding Carbon Rules to International Aviation and Shipping Emissions
UK Traffic Commissioner Revokes Hampshire Haulage Operator Licence Over Regulatory Failures
UK Parliament Examines Risks in Public Contracts Awarded to Technology Firm Palantir
UK Competition Watchdog Moves Toward More Flexible Merger Rules to Support Efficiency and Growth
UK Government Seeks Approval for £1.15 Trillion Public Spending Plan Amid Scrutiny Over Department Budgets
UK Parliament Debates Sweeping National Security and Steel Industry Nationalisation Bills
UK Government Issues Formal Apology for Historic Forced Adoption Practices and Announces £4 Million Support Scheme
UK DEFENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY TILTS TOWARD SOVEREIGN CAPABILITY AND INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT
UK ECONOMIC POLICY OUTLOOK SHAPED BY LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AND FISCAL SIGNALS
STERLING STRENGTHENS AMID SHIFTING MONETARY OUTLOOK AND GLOBAL LABOUR MARKET SIGNALS
UK HPV VACCINATION PROGRAM NEARLY ELIMINATES CERVICAL CANCER DEATH RISK IN YOUNG WOMEN
UK EXPANDS PRISON SAFETY REVIEW AS GOVERNMENT SEEKS WIDER SYSTEM REFORM
UK DRIVES DIGITAL ASSETS STRATEGY WITH NEW STABLECOIN REGULATORY MODEL
UK TO EXPAND AI INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH NEW EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP
UK LAUNCHES £15 BILLION DEFENCE TECH SHIFT TOWARD ADVANCED MILITARY SYSTEMS
CIVIL SERVICE FACES SHIFT IN POWER STRUCTURE AS REGIONAL GOVERNANCE PLANS EXPAND
WHITEHALL CONSIDERS MAJOR DECENTRALISATION PLAN WITH SECOND GOVERNMENT HUB IN MANCHESTER
UK TARGETS SERVICES EXPORT GROWTH IN TRADE TALKS WITH CHINA AMID GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS
POLICE WATCHDOG PROBES OFFICERS OVER HANDCUFFING OF DYING TEENAGER IN HAMPSHIRE CASE
UK REGULATORS UNVEIL DUAL OVERSIGHT FRAMEWORK FOR STABLECOINS AND DIGITAL ASSETS
×