The Italian judge, 68, was struggling to chose between Haribow and Ravi’s Dream Team when hosts Ant and Dec pushed him to make a decision about which to send home.
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Magician Jack Rhodes got the most viewer votes in the second semi final, sending him automatically to Sunday’s grand final, but it was left to the panel to pick between the Japanese double-dutch act, and the kids’ choir.
Bruno was first up to make a decision and stressed how it was an “impossible” one.
He said: “I mean this is an impossible decision because they were amazing, both of them in their own right. Completely different. It’s an impossible choice, it’s Sophie Choice.”
But while he eventually picked to save Haribow, viewers were left stunned when he referred to the decision as “Sophie’s choice.”
Sophie’s Choice refers to a 1982 film starring Meryl Streep in which her character much choose which of her children to send to the gas chamber during the Holocaust.
Reacting to his poor choice of words, one wrote on X, formerly twitter: “Oh f*** me!”
A second added: Did Bruno really just compare picking between 2 acts on #BritainsGotTalent to being like Sophie’s Choice?
A third replied: You just helped to confirm that I did actually hear him say that
A fourth echoed the sentiment, chiming in: Did @BrunoTonioli really just describe his decision in #bgt as “Sophie’s Choice?!”
Eventually the decision ending up going to the public vote anyway as the judges were stuck in a deadlock.
Alesha Dixon voted to keep Ravi’s Dream Team, who earnt her Golden Buzzer during their audition.
Amanda Holden‘s pick was Haribow, while Simon Cowell chose Ravi’s Dream Team like Alesha.
In the end, the act that scored the most votes with the public was Haribow.
But again viewers slammed ITV as upsetting scenes were broadcast that showed a little girl from Ravi’s choir crying on stage as Haribow celebrated going through.
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She had to be held and consoled by the man standing next to her.
Little kids crying on prime time tv, good old ITV.” one ranted on social media.
A second vented: “Well awkward moment when #haribow over celebrated with children crying literally few feet away from that. Doesnt sit well.”
“Poor kids crying. What a shame,” said an unimpressed third.
Another was unsure whether she was crying out of disappointment or simply finding it hard to deal with the noise, asking: “Was the little girl crying or was it too loud for her?”
Meanwhile a fifth questioned: “See this is why you don’t put kids on the live show… can’t handle bad news and now the little girl is crying.”
Britain’s Got Talent winners
Britain’s Got Talent has a gigantic hall of fame when it comes to its winners – from magicians, comedians to dance troops – the show has had it all. Here’s a look back at each winner from each series…