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Good morning, Rusty!
A lovely day - warm and sunny.
How are things with you?
Can you tell me how the voting was previously held, in BGT?
Ant and Dec (and Simon) made several references to the choice now being down to the public only...but how did it work before this rule was changed?
I am a relative newcomer to the show and do not recall how it worked previously?
I am now reading "Serious" - John McEnroe's autobiography.
I am fairly sure that when this book originally came out , it was entitled "You cannot be Serious"?
But at some stage, this has changed to "Serious"....... as on the front of my copy.
Unless there are two different books? but surely not?
Uhm....I need to do some research......

Good morning, Elle!
The chicks are growing!
Very warm here!
No, I can not really remember how the acts were chosen.
I remember voting several times by phone in the final.
Ashleigh and Pudsey, and Diversity, I remember voting for.
If you think about it, a phone-in vote will earn the show money, whereas judgement by panel won't.
Could that be it?
Poor wee Issy was overcome by emotion and her Mum ran on stage to comfort her.
She is a wee trouper.
Hope she does well in the final.
I am either going to back Angelicus Celtis, or DNA to win, I think.
The dance groups are disappointing.
Diversity set the bar very high and no other group has got close to that standard.

Hi, Rusty!
The show in which Jules and Matisse took part was my first experience of watching BGT!
And I was so disgusted by the "con", that is was nearly my last!
I think that was 2015?
Certainly I have never come across a show like BGT, where there has been so much controversy!
I am thinking that the judges perhaps previously picked the winners to go through at the Semi Finals stage - and the public only voted on Finals night?
That would make sense?
I feel weary today.... very lethargic.....
Maybe it is the weather?
I have tennis on ITV 4........
I might make a coffee to waken me up, and take a (belated) look at the crossword.

Hello, Elle,
I wonder why the Russians and Chinese were thrown out?
Darcey Oake was a Canadian illusionist who made the final.
He had won quite a lot before BGT.
I am sure he was on America's Got Talent, too.
I think you may be right about the format for deciding the finalists.
Yes, the weather slows you down.
I am home for the day.
Miss O is calling on me later before she goes to work!
My crossword is complete!

Update, Elle!
Just remembered Attraction, the Hungarian shadow theatre group who won BGT.
They were amazing!
Before BGT they had taken part in the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games and had performed all over the world.
But, Russian and Chinese groups get thrown out?
Seems to be double standards at work!

Hello, Elle!
Just heard on my wireless that BGT are moving the final from Sunday to Saturday.
They say they do not want to clash with the concert in Manchester.

Hi, Rusty!
I am probably completely wrong then in my reasoning as to why the Russian act is no longer on the show?
I had thought that it might well be because it had turned out to be already a "professional" act?
But from what you say there have been many "pro" acts prior to this, that would have created a precedent?
So......I have no idea then what might have happened?
Maybe we will never find out!
That is a very nice gesture to change the BGT Finals date to Saturday in order not to clash with the Manchester Benefits Concert.
Well done , the powers- that -be!
And well done, Ariana Grande !
It must take some nerve to star in another concert - and indeed for those attending such a concert - in the wake of the recent terror attack.
Good for the participants!
I am not sure I would be brave enough to go.......
Have a good time with Miss O when she comes round to see you!
I am just going out for a walk!

Hello, Elle!
There are many full-time acts on BGT.
Matt Edwards, last night, is a full time performer on cruise ships and holiday camps etc.
Performing is all he knows.
There is a father and daughter act on tonight (forgotten their names!) and the father is a full time singer. (Faye and ?????)
Yes, it is good of Miss Grande to return so soon and do another concert.
I hope it goes very well for everyone.
Is it the same venue?
It is a lovely day here!

Hello Rusty and Elle,

I have only just read about the Manchester attack - I had no idea -
don't always listen to the news nor read the paper (even though
I have access to The Times on line!

What a horrible thing - I feel so sorry for the poor people and
for their families. Unfortunately we seem powerless when faced
with such violence, and one never knows where it next might
happen.

Hi, Rusty!
Oh, I didn't know that many of BGT's contestants are seasoned performers!
Ah well, that is another theory, regarding the disappearance of certain acts , that "bites the dust"!
I did try to come up with an explanation!
I think this second concert is to be held at Lancashire Cricket Club’s Old Trafford ground?
Another nearby event has been changed in order to accommodate it.
We had a nice walk, although the sky went black ...and we were expecting to be soaked at any moment!
However, the potential storm has now passed over, and the sun is shining again.
How was Miss O?
What has happened about potential teaching jobs?




Hello, Pigale!
Yes, it was a bad business in Manchester.
Especially cruel, somehow, when young people and children are targeted.
It was a relief to learn that friends' daughters and grandchildren were not involved.
I admire all who are taking part in the Benefits' Concert.