Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals: Father and son magic act to use Ashley Banjo in trick

Performance is said to be ‘emotional’

Ashley Banjo and The Pipers on BGT (Rex)

A father and son magic act on Britain’s Got Talent will include new judge Ashley Banjo in their semi-final performance tonight (5 September).

James and Dylan Piper revealed they “have something really special planned” in an interview with Metro.co.uk.

“I think it will touch the hearts of a lot of people,” said James. “It will be emotional, but also amazing and inspirational. We want to kind of inspire people, as well as amaze them.”

The performance involves Banjo picking up six photographs, which Dylan tries to predict from home over video call. The trick turns emotional when Banjo realises that one of the photos features him and his newborn son Micah.

Giving the duo a standing ovation in tonight’s show, which was pre-recorded, Banjo says: “Honestly… I didn’t expect that. That is what coming to this competition to win looks like to me.”

It is not the first time the pair have incorporated a judge into their routine, with Simon Cowell joining in on their trick in their first audition. Banjo is standing in for Simon Cowell as he recovers from his back injury.

The Pipers will be competing against singer Fayth Ifil, comedian Steve Royle, magician James Stott, dancer Yakub, troupe Urban Turtles, choir SOS From The Kids and singer Iman Siar in the semi final, which airs tonight at 8pm on ITV.