The young magician secured the public vote over seven competing acts on Saturday night
The young magician secured the public vote over seven competing acts on Saturday night, booking his place in the May 30 grand final on ITV.
Rafferty Coope is heading to the Britain’s Got Talent grand final. The young magician won the public vote during Semi-Final 4, which aired Saturday, May 16, on ITV1, ITVX and STV, earning one of two coveted spots in the May 30 finale. His gravity defying illusions captivated viewers at home and left the judging panel with little to debate.
The episode, which began at 6 p.m, an hour earlier than usual due to scheduling conflicts with the Eurovision Song Contest was hosted by Ant and Dec, who guided audiences through another high stakes night of live competition.
The 8 acts who performed in Semi-Final 4
Eight acts took the stage Saturday night, each knowing that only two of them would advance to the grand final. They were: Rafferty Coope, Epic Sax Guy, Glantaf Boys Choir, Kristel Herrera, Ren DMC, Sonny Green, Wei Yamin and Welsch Master Team.
Glantaf Boys Choir brought Welsh harmonies to the ITV stage, while Epic Sax Guy delivered a high energy musical set that kept the energy in the room elevated. Kristel Herrera showcased her vocal ability, and Ren DMC held his own on the microphone. Sonny Green, Wei Yamin and Welsch Master Team rounded out a diverse and competitive lineup that reflected the breadth of talent Series 19 has produced.
How the semi final voting works
The semi-final format gives viewers direct power over at least one finalist each week. Of the eight acts that perform, one advances based entirely on the public vote in this case, Rafferty Coope. The second spot is awarded by the judging panel, made up of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI, who deliberate after the public result is announced.
That combination of viewer choice and judicial discretion has been a defining feature of the semi final rounds this series, creating genuine tension each Saturday night as both outcomes remain unknown until the final moments of the broadcast.
The judges weigh in
Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI watched each of the eight acts with their usual blend of candor and encouragement. KSI, who joined the panel this series replacing longtime judge Bruno Tonioli, has brought a notably different dynamic to the show offering perspectives that reflect a younger, more digitally native audience.
Deliberations during Semi Final 4 were particularly charged, with several acts receiving praise for their originality. The judges choice for the second finalist spot added another name to the growing grand final lineup, though the public vote outcome Rafferty Coope was the clearest story of the night.
Who has already qualified for the May 30 grand final
Saturday’s results slot into a final that is rapidly taking shape. Six acts had already secured their grand final places heading into Semi-Final 4. They are: Matty Juniosa, who earned a golden buzzer in Semi-Final 1; 2) Anastasiia and Salsa, who won Semi-Final 1; 3) LMA, who earned a golden buzzer in Semi Final 2; 4) Fabian Fox, who won Semi-Final 2; 5) Liwei Yang, who earned a golden buzzer in Semi-Final 3; and 6) Ted Hill, who won Semi-Final 3.
With Rafferty Coope and the judges pick from Saturday night now added, the grand final lineup stands at eight acts. It is a competitive and varied group that spans magic, music, comedy and dance a cross section of what Series 19 has had to offer since auditions began.
What makes Series 19 stand out
Beyond the new judging lineup, this series has maintained the real time energy that has kept Britain’s Got Talent one of ITV’s most-watched Saturday night properties. The live semi final format where public votes are cast and counted in the same broadcast keeps stakes high and outcomes genuinely unpredictable.
For Rafferty Coope, the road from audition to semi final winner now leads to one more stage: the May 30 grand final, where eight acts will compete for the Series 19 title. Whether magic can outlast music, vocal performances and ensemble acts on the biggest night of the competition remains to be seen but after Saturday, few would bet against him.