Viewers of Britain’s Got Talent were taken aback when Noodle’s identity was eventually revealed.
During their audition, the playful feline left judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli equally astounded and perplexed after belting out Nina Simone’s Feeling Good.
‘My name is Noodle. I wanted to come and audition for Britain’s Got Talent because there are so many dogs made famous by the show, I thought it was time you saw a talented cat,’ they told the crowd.
Viewers speculated on who may be behind the animation and Thursday’s semi-final.
They shouted out the James Bond classic Live and Let Die during the act’s performance, and before we knew it, last year’s runner-up Tom Ball was singing along.
A rather stunned Simon said: ‘I swear to God I never knew who was behind the cat. I’m slightly disappointed it’s not a singing cat if I’m honest. If you don’t win the show, just come back as a singing cat! You have never sung better than that.’
TV personality Amanda gushed: ‘You’ve gone from geography teacher to drama teacher. Super sexy glow up, amazing voice, great energy.’
BGT fans had mixed opinions about Tom’s comeback, with one person writing: ‘Lovely to see Tom Ball – I dont think its unfair of him to be on the show anymore than the dancing groups who are professional, the singers who already have a career, or the comedians who are already established. Its seems the common theme on.’
‘I TOLD YOU ALL IT WAS TOM BALL FROM THE START AHAHAHHA NEVER FORGET A VOICE LIKE THAT WHEN YOU HEAR IT.’
I TOLD YOU ALL IT WAS TOM BALL FROM THE START AHAHAHHA NEVER FORGET A VOICE LIKE THAT WHEN YOU HEAR IT #bgt #bgt2023
— cerys ❤️ yes, and? 💋 (@ar1anatours) June 1, 2023
Recognised Tom Ball straight away. Record deal or not, fair play to him if he wants to try and win again. Lots of acts on here already have deals etc. #bgt
— Claire (@XxLadyClaireXx) June 1, 2023
https://twitter.com/dinkydip/status/1664351889016668161
https://twitter.com/JohnMichaelPett/status/1664350681287802886
Dont get me wrong I really really like Tom Ball but who's idea was thisssss #BGT
— MAVR (@ihave3guineas) June 1, 2023
All put up. Love Tom, but how is he allowed back? Record deal, shows with Simon in the US? 🤷♀️ Brilliant performance – but #BGT is taking the p***.
— India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) June 1, 2023
Tom had his chance last year, a bit unfair on the other acts #bgt
— Richard Watkins #actuallyautistic (@richiew4ever) June 1, 2023
Elsewhere, others slammed the moved after Tom revealed that he ‘signed a record deal’ this year and toured the US.
‘Dont get me wrong I really really like Tom Ball but who’s idea was thisssss,’ one person tweeted.
‘Tom ball is honestly an amazing singer but he was 2nd last year, then he did agt champions show and now he’s back again?? seems a bit off,’ another weighed in.
Following his stint in 2022, the singer returned to the talent franchise in the New Year as part of America’s Got Talent All Stars.
He fought against champion Axel Blake from 2022, runner-up Jamie Leahay, and poet Aneeshwar.