Simon Cowell stormed off stage during tonight’s Britain’s Got Talent live semi-final when a ventriloquist tried to make him dance the can-can.
Fans were left stunned, with many branding the showrunner a “spoilsport” and a “bore” for not refusing to take part and walking into the wings backstage.
A clearly disgruntled Simon was chosen along with David Walliams to join entertainer Jimmy Tamley on stage.
The ventriloquist placed a face mask on both judges and revealed that Simon would be taking the part of David’s dummy.
But the TV mogul snapped when Jimmy invited the pair to perform the can-can, which of course David was more than happy to.
Simon, however, bolted from the stage when the comedian put his hands on his legs in a vain bid to make him dance.
Read more: Simon Cowell’s son steals the show in cute snap with BGT judges
Viewers were divided over whether his reaction was justified, with many taking to social media to criticise him for lacking a sense of humour.
One tweeted: “Simon, what a spoilsport!”
Another wrote: “Well, Simon is a grump, isn’t he!! Definitely spat the dummy.”
A third added: “What a boring person Simon Cowell is.”
Simon what a spoil sport!!! #BGT
— Jamie Smith (@whatjamietweets) May 30, 2019
Simon cowell is a miserable sod. Awkward! #BGT
— sharon wilkinson (@sharryw63) May 30, 2019
Well simon is a grump isn’t he !! Definitely spat the dummy 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 #BGT
— dizzy (@Dizzypinkie) May 30, 2019
I feel so bad for the ventriloquist man 😬😬! #BGT
— TV Hideout (@BigHideout) May 30, 2019
What an absolute bore of a man Simon Cowell #BGT
— EmmaLouise1994 (@EmmaLouise_1994) May 30, 2019
What a boring person Simon Cowell is. #BGT
— poolieboy1🇬🇧 (@Poolieboy1Les1) May 30, 2019
That was the best thing ever! David’s dream and Simons nightmare. Oh god I just can’t stop laughing 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 #BGT @BGT
— Charlie (@Charlie__Tweets) May 30, 2019
Others, however, sided with Simon, with one writing: “I would storm off too if someone started grabbing me and making me physically uncomfortable whilst literally doing THEIR act for them.”
i would storm off too if someone started grabbing me and making me physically uncomfortable whilst literally doing THEIR act for them #BGT
— izzy 🕊️ (@multimarriott) May 30, 2019
#BGT I mean, if I were Simon I’d have walked off too. Not funny and very awkward. @ninaconti does it better 🤷🏻♀️
— 🧜🏻♀️💩🙌🏻👵🏻👸🏻 (@meowsaystheemo) May 30, 2019
Several moments passed after Simon walked off before he was persuaded to rejoin Jimmy and David on stage, only to be shut inside a box with his fellow judge in an awkward position.
On returning to his judging seat, he then joked that several of the show’s producers could meet a grisly end over the humiliating prank in the next couple of days.
Read more: David Walliams reveals fatherhood saved him from depression
* Britain’s Got Talent’s fifth live semi-final is on ITV at 7.30pm on Friday.
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