The semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent returned to our screens last night, featuring eight more hopefuls. However, the opening segment saw hosts Ant and Dec having to intervene when one star was subjected to booing.

As the duo approached the judges’ table to recap the previous week’s episode, they were met with such a loud response from the audience that it drowned out Dec’s voice.

Interrupting himself mid-sentence, Dec addressed the room, saying: “Thank you. Thank you. Bruno is here; we know.”

One viewer took to social media to question the uproar, asking: “Were people booing and heckling Bruno?” Another viewer queried: “Why were they booing Bruno when he was praising the talent? The audience is so jarring.”

A third concerned viewer asked: “Why’s [the] crowd booing Bruno?” (sic) 

Dec was forced to address the audience (Image: ITV)

Bruno Tonioli, the ballroom legend, handled the reaction with grace, spinning in his chair and waving at the audience with a smile, reports the Liverpool Echo.

He later offered advice to the evening’s acts before they took to the stage. Bruno said: “I’m always nervous before every show.

“Use that to energise you. We’re here; the audience is fantastic; we want to support you. Use it and enjoy it in a positive way.”

The crowd started jeering again, prompting Dec to smirk at the camera. Ant humorously expressed hope that nothing would go wrong tonight, referencing last week’s episode which was interrupted because Teddy Magic “wasn’t ready” to perform.

Last week, Ant disclosed: “Now, Teddy isn’t quite ready backstage yet. He hasn’t got his magic up and ready yet, so we’ll chat to you judges.”

The judges give their take on the latest semi-final (Image: Getty)

Simon Cowell, clearly taken aback, reacted: “Hang on, so the act’s not ready?

“It’s okay; it’s live,” Ant countered: “And he’s only eight years old, so back off, man!”

In a twist to the usual format, for the first time, the semi-finals will broadcast every Saturday night across five weekends rather than running consecutively over one week. Therefore, the grand final is set to be televised on Saturday, May 31.

Additionally, ITV has confirmed the return of the Golden Buzzer for the live stages. In past seasons, this buzzer was exclusively used during auditions to vault acts directly into the finals.

Contrastingly, this year sees the introduction of the Golden Buzzer into the live shows. Each judge will hold the power to hit the buzzer, as well as presenters Ant and Dec, promising even more drama on live television every Saturday night.

Britain’s Got Talent: Live Semi-Final returns next Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.