Britain's Got Talent: Opera duo Jonathan and Charlotte and Latin dancers Kai and Natalia voted into final
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One of the bookies favourites Jonathan Antoine and Charlotte Jaconelli won the most public votes after their stirring rendition of opera classic Caruso, receiving a standing ovation from the judges.
Teen singer Paige Turley narrowly missed out on a place in the final, with the judges voting for Kai Widdrington and Natalia Javed to progress through to Saturday's grand finale.
Popular: Opera duo Jonathan and Charlotte won a standing ovation from the judges after their rendition of Caruso
Sizzling: Latin American dance duo Kai Widdrington and Natalia Javed were chosen by the judges to take part in the final
Having to decide between the two acts, David was the only one to save Paige, claiming she had the most potential in the competition.
However, it was up to Simon Cowell to make the deciding vote and prompted for the dancers, after previous saying bad production had affected Paige's performance earlier.
Unsurprisingly, former Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon saved the dancers, saying: 'It's very easy for me. Ballroom and Latin holds a special place in my heart. Kai and Natalia.'
Gracious loser: Teenager Paige Turley missed out on a place in the final after mixed reviews from the judges to her performance
After initially suggesting in their first audition that Jonathan should drop Charlotte and go solo, Simon Cowell admitted he made a mistake.
He said: '(Refusing to drop Charlotte) - that was the best decision you ever made. Now I understand your chemistry, the support...
'Charlotte you sang really, really well. Gutsy. The combination of the two. One of my favourite BGT performances genuinely.'
Waiting game: The acts find out they're in the top three, but don't know who will progress...
Kai and Natalia also had unanimous good feedback from the judges, with Amanda telling them: 'It was very slick, great discipline, you absolutely deserve to go through to the final.'
One of the more controversial acts in this year's series, stunt group Cascade were the first to perform.
Some critics have claimed the group, who ranged in age from 22 to 35, shouldn't be allowed to take part because they're from France - contradicting the show's title Britain's Got Talent.
They kicked off the show with two dancers recreating a Mission: Impossible style quest to steal a crown before they're interrupted by a team of security guards.
Action packed: French stunt group Cascade kicked off the second semi-final with a Mission: Impossible style routine
To the thrill of Amanda and Alesha, the jewel thieves ripped their shirts off.
All the judges unanimously agreed the performance was good, with David tipping them as potential winners.
He said: 'It was like watching all the best action films at the same time. I know there's been some sniping in the press about how people from another country can win Britain's Got Talent, but with a performance like that you can.'
Ply for votes: The two lead performers had 'vote' and 'Cascade' written across their ripped chests
Hot and bothered: Alesha and Amanda certainly enjoyed their front row seats during Cascade's performance
Alesha was clearly quite excited, quipping: 'I've missed you boys. You didn't disappoint. It had the whole movie feel. My only criticism is there wasn't enough flesh.'
Although Paige ended up in the top three, her impressive singing voice appeared to be drowned out by the backing track during her performance earlier in the evening.
The 14-year-old was wearing a cream skater dress as she sang Bruno Mars's track It Will Rain - one of his lesser known hits - raised up on a platform.
Both Amanda and Alesha agreed she could sing, but didn't think the song was suitable.
Drowned out: Scottish singer Paige Turley's rendition of Bruno Mars It Will Rain was overpowered by the backing track
Amanda explained: 'I feel slightly underwhelmed. I'm gutted to say it to you. I do think you've got a good voice. I didn't like your song choice. I wanted to do something more special.'
Alesha told her: 'Paige I really liked you. I have to agree with my Amanda. I feel this song doesn't show off your range. I didn't emotionally invest in you and the song.'
Third to perform was Essex street dancers Karizma Krew, who had previously drawn criticism from Simon because their leader Tim was 'too old' at 38.
Flying the flag: Karizma Krew impressed the judges with their energetic street dance
They performed a melody to Flo Rida's Good Feeling, Chic's Le Freak and Chas and Dave, as well as the TOWIE I'm An Essex Girl remix of LMFAO's I'm In Miami Bitch.
However, Simon stood by his ageist comment: 'I like you - the group. Tim, you're great in a different group. You were having your own party and then Tim - who wasn't invited - joins in.'
Defending Tim, David said: 'Tim has put this whole thing together Simon. I've never seen anyone breakdance to Chas and Dave.'
Running scared: Karizma Krew leader Tim, 38, challenged Simon, 52, to a dance battle after the music mogul accused him of being too old
Tim went so far as to challenge Simon - 14 years his senior - to a dance battle, but unsurprisingly, the music mogul wasn't up for it.
Declan quipped: 'For all sorts of reasons we don't want to see that.'
Next up was one of David's favourite acts, Manchester singing troupe the Showbears, who performed a medley of Kylie Minogue songs.
Camp it up: Manchester singing troupe the Showbears had the fun factor as they performed a medley of Kylie Minogue songs
Putting on a camp performance to Can't Get You Out Of My Head, Spinning Around and All The Lovers while dressed in gold Aussie-themed outfits, they were quickly buzzed by Simon.
While Alesha described them as her 'guilty pleasure', David made a pop at Simon's manufactured X Factor group One Direction.
He said: 'Simon says he wants the flipside to One Direction. This is a less camp version of One Direction. I know your wives are at home voting...'
However, Simon told them: ' The winner is gonna perform in front of royalty. The idea of you performing at the Royal variety is a total utter nightmare. The singing was excruciating. The one direction you're heading is home.'
The next act to perform all ended up being buzzed - but this time by Amanda.
Better for a festival? Percussionist Michael Fish, 29, from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, put on an energetic drumming session
Percussionist Michael Fish, 29, from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, put on an energetic drumming session accompanied by a troupe of dancers.
All the judges agreed the act was better suited to a nightclub or festival, with Michael agreeing.
Simon said: 'I really, really liked it. Dance music is becoming bigger. Your act is brilliantly timed the staging was brilliant. I really liked you.'
Playing up to their 'bromance', David smirked: 'I'm going to agree with my Simon. Fish, I thought that went swimmingly. Maybe it is more suited to a nightclub or festival than the royal variety show.
'His organ is too big': Lancashire organ player and entertainer Graham Blackledge, 42, who performed a mash-up of Hey Ya! and Phantom Of The Opera
Next up was Lancashire organ player and entertainer Graham Blackledge, 42, who performed a mash-up of Hey Ya! and Phantom Of The Opera.
The judges all had mixed views of the entertainer, with Amanda telling him: 'Um,it's quite short! The piece... I liked the beginning, I like Phantom of The Opera. I think you're really cute, you're like Wallace and Gromit's love child. But I can't see you going much further.'
David brought in some innuendo: 'I don't have a problem with you, I have a problem with your organ. Maybe your organ is too big. Maybe you should do stand-up, or whatever it is that Ant and Dec do.'
Missed out: Sexy dance troupe Four Corners failed to secure a place in the top three, despite their popularity with the judges
The penultimate act of the night to perform were London dance troupe Four Corners, who had widely been predicted to make the final.
The 17-strong group consisted of just one woman - Yasmin - in a red jumpsuit and her male colleagues dancing to Nicole Scherzinger's Poison.
Amanda said: 'I love how aggressive it was. you're so dominant and sexy in the middle. You've restored my faith in dance groups.'
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