Weather Tonight: 11°c Clear Night

Morning: 20°c Mostly cloudy

Critics' Choice

Film

Andrew O'Hagan

quote Johnny Depp has become, in his young middle age, like a star of the movies’ golden period quote

Public Enemies Music

André Paine

quote this was a triumph of eye-popping production and exhausting choreography quote

Madonna Theatre

Fiona Mountford

quote If his smug stage persona is tricky to warm to, his skill, and the snappiness of Andy Nyman’s direction, are spot-on quote

Derren Brown

Reader reviews

Film

Russell. Hertfordshire

quote If you are feeling totally fed up with your lot at the moment with the economic squeeze - go see this film quote

Sunshine Cleaning Theatre

Heather, London

quote I thought this was an excellent, powerful production. The staging and acting were superb, it is well worth going to see quote

Observe The Sons Of Ulster Marching Towards The Somme Music

Debbie & Bill Holmes

quote Absolutely AMAZING show that went like a train for three hours solid and didn't waiver once! quote

Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band

Britain's Got Talent: The bizarre Britney wannabe that had Simon Cowell lunging for all three buzzers

Last updated at 10:29am on 22.04.08

Add your view

Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell arrived in Birmingham looking for a "unique" act, and hopefuls certainly didn't disappoint.

The city turned out a strong quota of bizarre acts, including 42-year-old Anya Sparks, who's dance routine to Britney Spears' Toxic left the horrified svengali smacking down not only his buzzer, but Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden's too.

Scroll down for more...

Mover and shaker: Anya Sparks failed to impress Simon Cowell with her dance routine to Britney Spears' hit Toxic

The mother of three revealed she had been practising her routine while dusting, adding: “I really let rip in the house”.

After calling time on her act, which hosts Ant and Dec feared may feature some cleavage "spillage", Simon noted: "There is not one person on the planet that would pay to see that show."

Scroll down for more...

Muscles: Liam Richards and Daniel Boyle's martial arts act left judge Amanda Holden swooning

Animal magnetism: Caz and Judy bought along the dancing ferrets

Piers Morgan, with his tongue presumably planted firmly in his cheek, said: "I've waited my entire life for a woman like you."

In Manchester, Caz and Judy promised their ferrets would perform a "weasel war dance," while extreme martial arts duo Liam Richards and Daniel Boyle certainly impressed judge Amanda Holden.

Scroll down for more...

Double act: this set of twins put their lung-power to the test

Cute factor: the 'Cheeky Monkeys' give their routine a jump start

After a routine of kicks, flips and shirt ripping, the only female judge said: "I am going to have a lovely dream later!"

Even Simon was impressed, saying the act was "spot on" while Piers just thought it was reminiscent of his "workout in the gym".

More than 10 million viewers tuned in to the season debut last week to see hopefuls compete for £100,000 and the chance to perform in front of HRH Prince Wales at this year's Royal Variety Performance.

Britain's Got Talent airs at 8pm ITV1 on Saturday.