BGT circus act in bias row

A circus act which wowed the judges on 'Britain's Got Talent' has previously appeared on TV with hosts Ant and Dec.

Dr Haze and The Circus of Horrors have been tipped to reach the final of the ITV1 talent search show after they impressed the panel of Amanda Holden, Michael McIntyre and David Hasselhoff with their daredevil stuntmen and women but their performance could be overshadowed after their previous TV appearance was revealed.

In 2007, the group took part in Ant and Dec's 'Saturday Night Takeaway' and even roped the presenters in to their act by getting them to limbo dance under a rope of fire and stand between two men throwing knives at each other.

A show source said: "When other acts see the evidence it will look like favouritism."

However a show spokesperson has denied their previous TV experience will give them an advantage, saying: "The show is open to professionals and amateurs.

"Ant and Dec do remember the circus but it's the judges who put the acts through not the show's hosts."

The group have also appeared on TV programmes 'So Graham Norton', 'Richard and Judy', 'The Jerry Springer Show' and 'Don't Try This At Home' and performed for Prince Charles as back up for Robbie Williams when he played at the heir to the British throne's 50th birthday party in 1998.

The top prize for the talent show is the chance to appear on stage in front of Prince Charles and his mother Queen Elizabeth at The Royal Variety performance.