Ventriloquist and Cromer Pier favourite Steve Hewlett lost out to the Britain's Got Talent title last night despite being the last-minute 'wild card' entry.
The 38-year-old from Eastbourne was knocked out of the ITV show at the semi-final stage but judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams chose to bring him back to the live final last night.
He put on a popular comedy performance with his puppet Arthur Lager and two additions - Simon Cowell and the pop mogul's friend Sinitta who sang a song from the Grease musical.
Steve, who has a strong fan base in north Norfolk, came fourth after he took 14.7pc of the public votes last night.
The winner of Britain's Got Talent was Hungarian dance troupe Attraction.
After Steve's performance, David Walliams told him: 'It was fantastic. The thing I love about you is the scripts are so witty. Your ventriloquism is so incredible.'
Alesha Dixon said: 'That was hysterical.'
Amanda Holden said: 'Everybody on the show wanted you as the wild card tonight. I couldn't be more delighted for you.'
The ventriloquist headlined at Cromer Pier in 2011 and revisited the area just before the live prime-time TV semi-final.
He will be performing at the Mundesley Festival on August 8.
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