Viewers of Britain's Got Talent had mixed reviews at Simon Cowell's promise to consider a certain act for a wild card.
The judge, 62, sent a public apology to The Phantom at the end of Thursday's show.
After the contestant's performance, Simon was clearly unimpressed by what he had witnessed after the magician had been hyped up following a memorable audition.
The act involved Amanda Holden being invited up on to the stage to get into a box before being made to "disappear", while David Walliams was made to write down a specific childhood memory.
Amanda, who was no longer visible to the audience, then opened and closed boxes before she appeared in a mirror and spoke to David about his childhood memory.
Then at the end, David was told to go back to his seat and then got a red buzzer scare as the act concluded.
Originally, Simon said: "So Amanda got onto the stage, got in the box, disappeared, then turned up in the mirror and said what David's memory was but then none of that happened. It wasn't explained.
"I don't understand what you (David) as a cub had anything to do with that."
But later, Simon was faced to backtrack slightly and said: "We will now consider you as a wild card because you're obviously popular."
His comments caused fans to flock to social media to discuss his decision.
Many weren't impressed and thought the music mogul should have stuck by his original comments.
One user on Twitter wrote: "I never really agree with Simon Cowell but tonight I (partly) did on @BGT “The Phantom” didn’t complete the act but don’t agree it should be considered a wild card act. #Bgt"
A second commented: "How is the phantom in the top three over the front line singers??? This country man! #bgt."
However, some would welcome the idea. One user tweeted: "Well i hope the phantom is a wild card #BritainsGotTalent #BGT."
Another penned: "The phantom has to be the wild card robbed #bgt," while a third said: "#thephantom #BGT robbed WILD CARD PLEASE!"
The latest semi-final saw singer Loren Allred and dance group Five Star Boys become the the next two of ten acts to progress to this year's final.
Pantomime dame group Dame Nation, choir The Frontline Singers, magic act The Phantom, Titan the Robot, variety act Mary P and comedian Stefano Paolini were the acts to miss out.
