TV review: Britain's Got Talent

I'm worn out after sitting through the emotional rollercoaster that is Britain's Got Talent, which has probably succeeded in making the necessary impact to fight toe-to-toe with its ratings rival on the Beeb, The Voice UK.

As the no-expense-spared introduction kicked in – featuring a big red buzzer on a pole in a shopping centre, with unsuspecting pressers suddenly converged on by hundreds of past performers – you knew you were in for another big, big, production. It's feel-good telly, nothing remotely intellectually challenging, just something to ward off the cold night outside.

Ant and Dec did their bit, then the judges spouted on about finding new stars and met the first act to audition, not a memorable one, mother and daughter country wailers, not really singers, Two's Country – good name though.

It's obvious that David Walliams is after the laughs from the outset, as on the first chance he could get, he said the ladies perhaps would be more suited for The Voice UK.

The first serious contender came with a larger than life pastor called Patrick George who said he was a gospel choir. Simon Cowell asked what happened to the rest of them, did he eat them? And we're back in the realms of Cowell quipdom, usually rudeness, pointing out a person's obvious flaws.

Undeterred, Patrick started off his conducting and members of his choir suddenly appeared in the theatre audience, and then on stage behind him and we are treated to fantastic shivers-down-the-spine powerful harmonies. Mark my words, Incognito Gospel Choir, could be one to watch.

Before the programme started much was made of Simon's, ahem, appearance. He has been pictured in national newspapers with a new 'look'. Whatever it was, at least Simon sorted it out, it all seems to be under control, although occasionally on a side view, there does seem to be something going on.

Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden were not necessarily just there to add a bit of glamour. Apart from the occasional gushing and predictable welling-up, they held their own with some nice comments here and there.

It's a complementary mix of personalities on the panel, you really do get the feeling that they'll be having a laugh in the bar afterwards. Unlike The Voice, where a more disparate collection of misfits you would be hard to find. It's obvious there's no love lost between any of them. A lot was made on BGT about David and Simon's special relationship. It's more camp than Butlins.

Another act to shine was young Jack Carroll, 14, a cerebral palsy sufferer whose fantastic personality and natural humour was a joy to watch. The first thing he said when making his way on stage with the aid of a walking frame, was that he was a professional gymnast, which got possibly the biggest laugh of the night. His self-deprecating observations making light of his condition won the hearts of not only the judges, but the audience and I dare say the nation. We haven't heard the last of him either.

It is this aspect of the real people involved, with raw, undiscovered talent, that beats The Voice hands down, with pop stars who had their shot at fame trying to rekindle some of that success and get back on the gravy train, mentored by a bunch of people with egos bigger than most people's living rooms.

Thankfully, the judges on BGT realise that they are not the stars of the show. Even Simon seems to have gained a little humility and humanity.

The best was saved until last with an act that has probably invented a whole new genre of entertainment – shadow dancing. It was simply mesmerising.

The only downside is that they're actually from Hungary, but, well we are in the EU . . . at the moment anyway.

Graeme Andrew