...and the 'gag thief' isn't among them

Comedy acts Jonny Awsum, Jess Robinson and Lords of Strut have all made it through to the live semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent.

Malawian stand-up Daliso Chaponda has already secured his place after Amanda Holden used her 'golden buzzer' during his audition.

Last night the four judges – Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Holden – picked the other 40 contestants from across all the the auditions to make it through to the next round.

Among them are acts familiar from the comedy circuit – altlugh Adam Kealey, who had been accused of ripping off established club act The Raymond & Mr Timpins Revue, failed to make the cut. No surprise after Walliams tweeted that the double act did it 'first and funnier. '

Musical impressionist Robinson, 33, wowed the audience with a song mimicking the likes of Cheryl, Sharon Osbourne, Britney Spears and Julie Andrews.

Awsum, 39, roped in BGT hosts Ant & Dec to help him with his routine, which cheekily spoofs West End musicals.

Also through was eight-year-old comic Ned Woodham, who roasted the panel in his audition, likening Holden to a 'talking dog'.

Irish double act Lords of Strut – Cian Kinsella and Cormac Mohally – got through after fusing dance and comedy in their performance, set to A-ha's Take On Me.

Live semi-finals will be stripped across ITV at 7.30pm every weeknight this week, with the final taking place next Sunday.

The act to beat may be the Missing People Choir, who perform with images of their missing relatives projected on to the big screen behind them, in the hope of being reunited.

• Awsum is one of the 28 acts taking part in Chortle's Fast Fringe at the Leicester Square Theatre in London on June 25. Tickets

Published: 28 May 2017