Herts supergroup Electric Umbrella will be performing in the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent after an unprecedented decision by chief judge Simon Cowell.
The show’s boss broke the rules by pressing his golden buzzer a second time, propelling the band into the last stages of the competition.
The rock group – which actively welcomes people with neurodivergence or disabilities – performed an original song called ‘Acceptance’.
They won over the judges, and though there were no golden buzzers left to be allocated, Simon broke the rule and awarded it anyway.
Amanda Holden told them: “What pours out of you is the friendship and the joy that’s on this stage – I felt it from every single one of you and everything you stand for is just brilliant. What an amazing day for us that you came here.”
Bruno Tonoli said: “Oh my God, so heartwarming, so inspiring. You have all my love, respect and admiration right now.”
Alisha Dixon said: “So many amazing people on this stage, everybody could relate, everybody felt a part of this…”
Simon added: “”I feel a wave of goodness here, everything about this is good! For me this was like being in a movie, seriously, it was just spectacular. The only, I suppose, downside to all of this is I don’t have any Golden Buzzers left! However…”
And with that he slammed down on the buzzer again, triggering a shower of golden confetti onto the jubilant members of Electric Umbrella, who included St Albans singer-songwriter Sinéad Quinn, who originally hit the big time after appearing in BBC TV’s talent hunt Fame Academy in 2002.
She told the St Albans Times: “It was completely overwhelming. We had a viewing at Warner Brothers Studios last night and I was just exhausted – I was in bed by 10!”
Incredibly, she managed to keep not only their appearance, but the result of the show a complete secret for weeks: “I only told my children on Thursday just so they could tell their friends to watch.
“What was beautiful about it was that in every pocket, village and city of this country there are learning disabled people who felt seen. The acceptance that we have these days just means everything, we can do this, we can go on a TV show and sing.”
Sinéad had a profoundly disabled brother, Gerald, who passed away several years ago, but would have greatly benefited from the work of Electric Umbrella. She is now their head of music (members): “Working with Electric Umbrella’s members both in the studio and on-stage is a vital part of who I am, and I couldn’t imagine life without it! Gerald lives on in the work Electric Umbrella does every day.”
“It’s incredible the work they’re doing – the talent and musicianship, it’s just joyful, When I was young the awareness wasn’t there, but the fact that we are now working with local schools shows how far we’ve come.
“It was very strange being back on a reality TV show but doing it with Electric Umbrella meant the world – and what a fantastic place to showcase their talent.”
Electric Umbrella are regular performers in St Albans, appearing at the likes of Pub in the Park, the M Festival and various city centre street events. They will be at St Albans Cathedral on June 24 for ‘Shine A Light, an event bringing together young people from across Hertfordshire and beyond to sing and make music together, fostering integration, unity, and creativity.
Electric Umbrella released a statement following the show: “This is more than just a performance—it was a moment we’ll never forget.
“Our incredible musicians stepped onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage and poured their hearts into a performance that had the entire audience on their feet. With a song that spoke to the power of possibility, they didn’t just win over the crowd—they moved the judges too, leading to a Golden Buzzer moment that sent us straight to the live semi-finals.
“Tears of joy, cheers, and pure celebration filled the room as golden confetti rained down, marking a milestone we never imagined. But this isn’t just about us. This is about showing the world that there really is No Such Thing as Normal.
“At Electric Umbrella, we create extraordinary musical experiences that challenge perceptions and celebrate learning-disabled and neurodivergent people for who they truly are. Moments like this remind us why we do what we do—but we can’t do it alone.
“Be part of the movement. Every song, every stage, and every voice makes a difference.”
The live semi-finals are expected to take place in May.
Photos: Screenshots from BGT.
