Singing dog impresses at BGT auditions

A dog who "sings" opera has impressed judges at 'Britain's Got Talent' auditions.

Buddy the Lhaso Apso puppy stunned judges Michael McIntyre, Amanda Holden and David Hasselhoff and the audience in Birmingham yesterday (03.04.11) when he joined his owner, former model Pippa Longthorne, in a rendition of 'Pie Jesu'.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Buddy screeches and barks at appropriate intervals. It's more pleasant than you think, helped by Pippa's amazing voice.

"The Hoff was pretty taken by the act. I'm not sure if it was the dog or that Pippa is attractive."

Pippa, 20, took up opera singing after he granddad died to help cheer up her grandma.

She said: "I never even knew I could sing."

The auditions yesterday were last-minute ones scheduled by show chief Simon Cowell, after he arranged for hopefuls to submit clips on video sharing website YouTube as he was unhappy about the quality of talent that had already made it through to the next round.

Filming yesterday also meant scenes of Amanda Holden - who lost her baby at seven months pregnant in February - not looking pregnant could be shot.

Simon is expected to return to the programme for the live semi-final stages of the contest.

'Britain's Got Talent' - which is hosted by Ant and Dec - returns to ITV1 on April 16.