Britain's Got Talent 
/ Mike Norman / 30 May 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Ronan Parke is the early favourite to win BGT 2011
"If there’s any justice in the world then self-taught pianist Gbegbaje will make it to the final as undoubtedly in my eyes he is the one act in this semi-final with real talent."
The live semi-finals have arrived and Mike Norman believes Ronan Parke will be hard to beat tonight, but who will join him in Saturday's live final?
Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan, our country needs you. I've been saying from the very beginning that the standard on this year's Britain's Got Talent has been very poor, and whilst that isn't the fault of the current judges, it has to be said that last night Amanda Holden, Michael McIntyre, and David Hasselhoff made some horrendous decisions.
Their task wasn't easy of course, but in reducing 250 or so hopefuls down to just 40 they left out some really good acts, and instead included some absolutely awful ones. Something Cowell and Morgan wouldn't have done.
Take Michael Moral's elimination for example, arguably one of the best solo dancers BGT has ever seen. But because the judges didn't want similar-type acts in the live semi-finals (even though at least four dog acts were put through), Moral and Razy Gogonea were made to perform again. But in absolutely bizarre fashion, Holden told Gogonea that he was through not just because he was better in the 'dance-off', but because he was one of the best dancers ever seen on the show. Well if that was the case then why was he made to dance again? And why weren't both Gogonea and Moral put through, thus allowing the public to decide who they like best from here on in?
Unfortunately Moral wasn't the only act not to go through; pint-sized crooner Robbie Firmin was also given a resounding no. But fear not, a guy who dresses like The Terminator - but does nothing - and a man who pops out his eyeballs (now we've seen it do we really need to see it again?) did make it through!
Tonight's first live semi-final will see the favourite for the competition - Ronan Parke (available to back at [3.4] in the BGT 2011 Winner market) - perform again alongside Joe Oakley [23.0], Paul Gbegbaje [48.0], Donelda Guy [90.0], Girls Roc [120.0], Bruce Sistaz [120.0], Ted and Grace [130.0] and Stuart The Entertainer [140.0].
I'll give my outright winner selections tomorrow morning once the market has fully materialised but in terms of tonight's semi-final it's difficult to look beyond Parke. Unfortunately this talented 12-year-old singer is available to back at just [1.21] in the Semi Final 1 Winner market and that's certainly not a price that I want to be getting stuck into, so instead I'll be having a wager in the To Qualify market. Remember, two acts from each live semi-final will qualify through to Saturday's live final.
We can discount three acts without a second thought - Stuart The Entertainer (The Terminator guy), Ted and Grace (rubbish granddaughter/grandfather singing act), and Bruce Sistaz (martial arts duo that public won't vote for) - and I'm quite confident that a fourth - Donelda Guy - will be eliminated also, though with Cowell the dog act-lover back on the panel tonight don't be surprised at anything that happens.
That just leaves Joe Oakley - available to back at [2.0] in the To Qualify market - Paul Gbegbaje [3.2], and Girls Roc [6.0], the first two being the acts with real talent, the latter being the act that entertains.
Oakley is the BMX kid and super talented at what he does. But this is supposed to be a variety entertainment show and I'm not convinced that doing bunny hops on a bike is variety entertainment. Yes, at a BMX freestyle competition he is fantastic, but on an entertainment show he strikes me as boring. However, I have a feeling that the public will like him and I'm not at all confident about predicting he won't be the one joining Parke in Saturday's final.
But my money is going on Paul Gbegbaje. If there's any justice in the world then self-taught pianist Gbegbaje will make it to the final as undoubtedly in my eyes he is the one act in this semi-final with real talent. Not good with words by his own admission Gbegbaje likes to express himself through the music that he plays, and when he plays the audience listen. He is incredibly talented and a very likeable young man to boot, and if he is key perfect tonight then I'm praying that the British public vote him through to the final.
Girls Roc are very entertaining, and I for one can't wait to see them perform. They are not without talent either, dancing through fire, swallowing flames, stilt walking etc, but will the public vote for them? The men will, but I'm not sure enough of the female audience will.
Recommended Bet: Back Paul Gbegbaje in To Qualify market @ [3.2]
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