Birmingham's Professional Pickpocket Leaves Britain's Got Talent Judges Speechless
In a stunning display of sleight of hand, Birmingham's Lee Thompson captivated the Britain's Got Talent judging panel during Friday night's episode, leaving them astonished not only by his skills but by his unexpected age revelation. The professional pickpocket delivered a flawless routine that saw him repeatedly lift items from Ant and Dec without detection, while also secretly planting wristwatches on audience members.
Age Revelation Creates Jaw-Dropping Moment
The most surprising moment came early in Lee's appearance when judge Amanda Holden commented on his dapper appearance. "You look very dapper," Amanda remarked, prompting Lee to respond: "Oh! Do I look my age?" When asked how old he was, the Birmingham performer admitted: "I'm touching 60."
Amanda Holden reacted with visible disbelief, exclaiming "You're not! Are you?" while Simon Cowell, equally impressed, added: "You look good." The age revelation created one of the most memorable moments of the evening, with viewers at home sharing the judges' surprise.
Impeccable Performance Earns High Praise
Following the initial shock, Lee proceeded to demonstrate his exceptional pickpocketing abilities:
- Repeatedly swiping phones, glasses, and room keys from Ant and Dec's pockets without detection
- Posing as a security guard in a pre-recorded segment to plant wristwatches on audience members
- Even fooling the judging panel backstage, including Simon Cowell
Amanda Holden was so impressed she dubbed him the "modern-day Artful Dodger," referencing his connection to the entertainment industry. Lee has previously worked as a Pickpocket Consultant on Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock series for Prime Video, which features a young Sherlock Holmes inspired by Oliver Twist's pickpocketing story.
Mixed Reactions from Viewers and Judges
While Lee received four yes votes from the judging panel, securing his place in the next round, some viewers questioned why he didn't receive the coveted Golden Buzzer. The Golden Buzzer grants acts a direct pass to the live finals, and its allocation became a topic of controversy during the same episode.
Viewer reactions to Lee's performance were overwhelmingly positive:
- "This is genuinely amazing. Even if he might be incriminating himself."
- "That was clever, funny and amazing....good job."
Golden Buzzer Controversy Overshadows Success
The episode saw controversy when KSI awarded his Golden Buzzer to comedy performer Mr Cherry, whose act involved opening jars of pickles and uncorking wine bottles with his buttocks. KSI declared it "the greatest thing I have ever seen," while disgruntled viewers branded it the "worst Golden Buzzer" act in the show's history.
This decision left many questioning why Lee Thompson's polished and professional performance didn't receive the same honor, despite his clear talent and the judges' enthusiastic response.
What's Next for Birmingham's Talent
Lee Thompson continues his Britain's Got Talent journey with his unique combination of age-defying appearance and professional pickpocketing skills. His background in film consulting and his ability to surprise even seasoned entertainment professionals suggests he could go far in the competition.
Britain's Got Talent airs Saturday nights from 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with all episodes available for streaming on ITVX after broadcast. Birmingham viewers will be watching closely to see how far their local talent can progress in the competition.
