Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Feb 28, 2026

Simon Cowell 'breaks rules' after Bruno Tonioli left fighting back tears

Simon Cowell admitted breaking the rules on Britain's Got Talent when an emotional performance left all the judges tearing up.

The media mogul, after Bruno Tonioli insisted he couldn't press the Golden Buzzer for a third time, went on to throw the rulebook out the window and sent the act straight through to the semi-finals.

Concluding Saturday's round of auditions, dance group Unity performed an 'astonishing' routine to Wrabel's The Village.

Aged 16-25, the group of college friends performed a piece about 'being told that you can't or you're not enough'.

Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden, alongside Bruno and Simon, were left visibly emotional at the performance, with the former Strictly Come Dancing judge tearing up.

The powerful act saw one auditionee tell the audience: 'I'm Declan, and labels don't define me, I push the gender boundaries but don't allow discrimination to change who I am.

'People stare and say things, they try to label me, they say I can't be who I am, I will.'

Simon Cowell threw the rule back out the window

The incredible performance was awarded a Golden Buzzer

Amanda Holden grew emotional


Another said: 'I'm Junior, growing up I was bullied for my love of dance.

'Dancing makes me feel free, and allows me to act out my feelings in a safe place.

'Bullies ruined this, I was beaten up and called names, all because a boy loved to dance.'

His comments left many in the audience tearing up, while dancer Bruno was left fighting back tears as Amanda's eyes glossed over.

At the end of the incredible performance, with all four judges giving them a standing ovation, the crowd were screaming: 'Golden Nuzzer.'

'You can be anything and anyone you want to be in life, the message is loud and clear, the execution artistically, your choreography was superb,' Bruno praised.

Bruno Tonioli fought back tears

Simon pressed the Buzzer at the last minute

Unity was sent soaring through to the semi-finals


'There aren't any golds left,' Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly began backstage.

Meanwhile Bruno told his fellow judges: 'I've already done it twice, I can't anymore.'

Simon added: 'I thought that actually was astonishing - the way that you got your message across, it was so strong.

'It was an audition I will never forget.

'What you've done, you've done it your way.'

He then said: 'We don't have any Golden Buzzers left... but sometimes I feel you should break the rules.'

The former X Factor judge then sent the act soaring through to the semi-finals, as Dec said: 'I don't know what's going on anymore!'

Simon added: 'Honestly you deserve that Golden Buzzer, that was absolutely beautiful.'

#ANT 
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Emerging Saudi–Turkish Alignment Draws Attention as Potential Strategic Challenge for Israel
Saudi Arabia Unveils $100 Billion Technology Investment Fund to Accelerate Post-Oil Diversification
US Lawmakers Question White House Consideration of Saudi Nuclear Enrichment Framework
Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Firm Commitment to Two-State Solution in Renewed Diplomatic Push
Saudi Arabia Launches Central Kitchen in Gaza to Deliver 24,000 Meals a Day
Saudi Arabia Announces $346 Million Support Package for Yemen in Renewed Humanitarian Push
Saudi Investors Increase US Equity Exposure Amid Domestic Market Weakness
Saudi Arabia Unveils Major Desert Gas Development in Strategic Shift Toward Diversified Energy Growth
Satellite Images Indicate Increased Aircraft Presence at Saudi Airbase Hosting US Forces
Telephone Diplomacy Sparks Tensions Between Two Key US Allies After Trump Intervention
Asian LPG Prices Surge After Damage Forces Saudi Aramco Export Disruptions
Saudi Arabia Unveils $100 Billion AI Infrastructure Fund to Challenge US and China
Saudi Stocks Close Lower as Tadawul All Share Index Falls 1.28 Percent
Saudi Arabia Launches Smart Mapping System to Enhance Pilgrim Experience at Holy Sites
Cristiano Ronaldo Acquires 25 Percent Stake in Saudi-Owned Spanish Club Almería
U.S.–Saudi Relations Balance Transactional Deal-Making with Expanding Strategic Ambitions
Israel’s President Herzog Signals Cautious Message on Saudi Ties at UAE Iftar in Tel Aviv
United States and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Security Ties with Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise
Saudi Arabia Responds to Israel–UAE Moves in Somalia as Regional Rivalries Intensify
Saudi Arabia Showcases Expanding Defense Ambitions at World Defense Show 2026
SECRETARY RUBIO on IRAN: Iran poses a very great threat to the United States, and has for a very long time.
Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary, is resigning from Harvard University as fallout continues over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. stocks ended higher on Wednesday, with the Dow gaining about six-tenths of a percent, the S&P 500 adding eight-tenths of a percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbing roughly one-and-a-quarter percent.
Nvidia posted better than expected results for the January quarter on Wednesday and forecast current quarter revenue above market estimates.
Saudi Arabia’s Coffee Renaissance Gains Momentum as Investment and Heritage Drive Industry Growth
Saudi Shipping Leader Bahri Expands Fleet as Tanker Rates Approach $200,000 a Day
Saudi Arabia Advances First National Urban Policy Through High-Level Leadership and Institutional Alliances
Major Life Sciences Summits to Spotlight Saudi Arabia’s Rise as Regional Biotech and Pharma Hub
Saudi Arabia Reframes Red Sea and Horn of Africa Strategy Amid Rising Security and Trade Stakes
Saudi Arabia Recalibrates Its Role in Shifting Regional and Global Power Dynamics
Saudi Retail Signals to Global Brands: Localise or Lose Ground in a Rapidly Evolving Market
Saudi Arabia Looks to Human Capital Investment to Unlock Demographic Dividend
Saudi Arabia and Iran Increase Oil Exports Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Saudi Data Protection Authority Intensifies Enforcement Under Personal Data Law
Saudi Arabia Raises Oil Output and Exports Amid Contingency Planning Over Iran Tensions
USS Gerald R Ford Arrives in Souda, Crete
Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Unit Expands Push Into Global Private Credit
Saudi Arabia Eases Headquarters Rules to Attract More Foreign Firms
Saipem Secures Major Offshore Pipeline Contract in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Targeted Oil Export Cuts to the US Seen as Strategic Signal Amid Global Supply Glut
Nemetschek Arabia Signs Strategic MoU with Saudi Facility Management Association
Gulf Markets Close Mixed as Saudi Shares Slip on Budget Deficit Concerns
Saudi Arabia Posts Largest Quarterly Budget Deficit in Years Amid Weaker Oil Revenues and Higher Spending
U.S. Lawmaker Urges Safeguards on Saudi Civil Nuclear Deal as Trump Administration Advances Agreement
Saudi Arabia and Gulf Allies Rally Behind Kuwait in Escalating Maritime Border Dispute with Iraq
Universal Aviation Secures License to Operate and Manage New General Aviation Terminal in Dammam
Tucker Carlson’s Saudi Arabia Remarks Spark Debate Over Israel Stance
GCC Secretary-General Holds Talks with EU Ambassador in Riyadh
Gulf States’ AI Investment Drive Seen as Strategic Bet on Technology and U.S. Security Ties
African Union Commission Chair Meets Saudi Vice Foreign Minister to Deepen Strategic Cooperation
×