Britain’s Got Talent has returned to TV screens for the start of the semi-finals, which were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The auditions episodes were broadcast on ITV in the spring.
Hosts Ant and Dec opened the show by reflecting on "a strange few months" and saying how much they have missed the talent.
They performed a musical number in which they showed off a huge screen of fans watching the pre-recorded show at home, in place of a live studio audience.
The song also introduced viewers to Diversity star Ashley Banjo, who will take Simon Cowell’s place on the judging panel while the music mogul recovers from back surgery.
The semi-final also featured a performance by Diversity, inspired by the coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement, which saw the dance troupe take a knee in the middle of the routine.
It also saw a dancer dressed as a police officer hold down Mr Banjo, while others performed with police riot shields.
Britain's Got Talent - Manchester red carpet: In Pictures
The judges were seated at socially distanced individual desks, rather than on one long desk together.
The hosts also stressed all the acts would be "following Government guidelines" and said "some acts will have created bubbles especially for the show", adding that they are in a bubble together.
They also announced a format change, saying that after all eight acts perform, the judges will choose one act to send straight to the final.
The dozens of acts to have made it through to the semi-finals include Aidan McCann, a young magician from Ireland; Amanda and rescue dog Miracle – a magic act from Scotland; the Chineke! Junior Orchestra and Class Dynamix, a choir from Leeds.
The first act to perform during the semi-finals was dance troupe Urban Turtles, who showed off their moves to a medley of tracks including I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables.
The Britain’s Got Talent judges were left horrified by the performance of former marine James Stott.
They were asked to choose boxes and then press a detonator button to drop a huge weight on top of them. They were relieved when Stott finally cut himself out of the final box left on the stage, unharmed.
"It was very butch dear, it was, just the sight of you was masculine enough," Judge David Walliams told him.
"It was very, very impressive, I like the seriousness of you. Very original and very memorable."
Alesha Dixon said: "The presentation of this act was pretty much perfect for me, suspenseful and exciting."
The final act was comedian Steve Royle, who had the judges on their feet with his routine that featured dancers and juggling.
Mr Walliams told him: “I was totally wowed and if you are not in the final of Britain’s Got Talent 2020, there will be no justice."
Ms Dixon added: “You did not disappoint, you had me ugly laughing, you are superhuman, you are perfect at this show and I really hope you are in the final.”
Amanda Holden told him: “You are what the nation needs, I just want this for you so much because I know you have been on this road and you have honed this act over years and years.”
Meanwhile, Mr Banjo said: “It just absolutely killed me, it felt like there was a thousand people here, that is how much energy you brought.”
Afterwards Mr Royle spoke about how difficult it has been for him to not be able to work and provide for his family during the pandemic, saying: “The last few months have been blooming hard.”
Mr Royle was given a place in the final after the judges voted for him unanimously.
The other seven contestants will now face the public vote in the hope of securing the other place in the final.