Britain’s Got Talent semi-final elimination for Ullapool accordion player RuMac
Wester-Ross musician RuMac’s Britain’s Got Talent journey has come to an end after being eliminated from tonight’s live semi-final.
Ruairidh Maclean from Ullapool, who performs as RuMac, played a rendition of a-ha’s Take On Me but went home after finishing 6th place on the public vote.
• WATCH: RuMac’s audition to Baccara’s ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ gets 4 Yes votes
Judges Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Bruno Tonioli pressed their red buzzers midway through the song, however Simon Cowell allowed RuMac to complete his performance.
Cowell said: “I didn’t buzz because he got through the first round which means he must have had 3 or more yes votes, that was better I think than your first audition.
“I think you and your agent are going to get about a billion phone calls tomorrow for New Years Eve to book you because that is exactly the kind of act people love at a party.
“I’m not a huge fan of that instrument, however you played it really well and I loved it.
“When they buzzed you, you just got faster and faster.
“Most people would put their heads down and you just went, whatever, I’m going to go for it.
“You did great.”
Negative comments came from Amanda Holden and Bruno Tonioli, however Tonioli did note that he found the performance funny.
Tonioli said: “I feel like I am having a hangover and need an aspirin.”
“But I’m telling you, definitely, definitely, insanely funny.”
Alesha Dixon also voiced mixed opinions of enjoyment despite pressing her red buzzer.
Dixon said: “In the history of being on this show that’s the first time I have given someone a red buzzer and a standing ovation at the same time.”
“Which kind of sums up how I felt about this act, I did tell you that I don’t like the accordion, but I have to say you made that so much fun, it was so crazy, it was good!”
“It was terrible and brilliant all at the same time.”
Progressing from tonight’s semi-final was operatic singer and drag queen Jasmine Rice, who received the golden buzzer from judge Bruno Tonioli. Also progressing on the public vote was group Ping Pong Pang. They will join singers Vinnie McKee and Stacey Leadbeatter, 11-year-old guitarist Olly Pearson, and Swiss dance collective ‘The Blackouts’ who also progressed to the grand final which will air on May 31st on STV and ITV.
RuMac performs frequently throughout the Highlands, including recent appearances at Peat & Diesel’s Black Isle Belter on the Black Isle Showground in Muir of Ord last weekend, and at this year’s Highland Heroes ceremony at The Drumossie Hotel in Inverness.
