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'Britain's Got Talent' wildcard axes dancing dog in bid to win final

Amber and Nymeria
Britain's Got Talent's wildcard dropped a dog from her act. (ITV)

Britain's Got Talent picked its wildcard finalist as Amber and The Dancing Collies - but only one of the dogs was allowed back on stage for the grand final on Sunday.

Trainer Amber, 25, was given the opportunity to return for another chance to win the ITV contest after being voted out in a semi-final earlier in the week - but controversially dropped one of the collies from her act in a bid to win.

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Amber had originally auditioned with just her dog Nymeria, to rapturous applause from the judges, but added in her second dog, Ruby, for a pirate-themed performance in the live semi-finals.

However, Ruby was destined for only a few moments in the spotlight as judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams decided the act was better before she joined it and originally chose not to put them through to the final.

Amber previously performed with two dogs. (ITV)
Amber previously performed with two dogs. (ITV)

On Saturday, Amber and her pooches got a second chance when they were named as the wildcard act, but she took on board the criticism and made a difficult cut to her line-up by putting Ruby back in the doghouse and dancing with just Nymeria.

Amber explained her decision in the video before her live act on Sunday and joked about it as she waved goodbye to a departing Ruby.

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The tough call appeared to pay off as her routine was near perfect, apart from one moment when Nymeria stumbled on a skipping rope, and the judges were back to singing their praises.

Cowell explained why he had chosen the act as his wildcard, admitting he had been put under pressure by his son Eric.

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Yahoo UK TV Quizzes - test your knowledge (click above)

He said: "I've got to admit, I got an earful from my son Eric when I left here the other night saying how come the dogs didn't make it through."

Continuing that it was because the semi-final performance wasn't as good, he added: "We also preferred, without being rude to the other one, the one dog."

Dog lover Cowell had been asked at the beginning of the show whether it was difficult to pick a wildcard and said: "It wasn't. It was the most obvious. I think they were stronger in their audition than the semis, if they can do that again, I think they're in with a chance of winning the whole thing."

The show's winner will be chosen on Sunday, bagging £250,000 and a slot at the Royal Variety Performance.

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