Norfolk performers have booked their place in the semi-finals of television show Britain's Got Talent.

Norfolk performers have booked their place in the semi-finals of television show Britain's Got Talent.

Young singer Ronan Parke and professional circus performer Lucy Francis-Litton received the thumbs up from the judges to become two of 40 acts in the live semi-finals.

The 12-year-old schoolboy from Poringland, hotly tipped to win the competition, originally wowed the crowd with his performance of Nina Simone's Feeling Good.

And when the judges announced that he was through to the semi-finals, he burst into tears and said he was 'speechless'.

Meanwhile, Lucy, who provided a jaw-dropping acrobatics display as part of circus troupe Enchantment Cirque, said it will make it even more exciting now that her troupe will be performing live.

The 34-year-old aerialist of Fakenham is part of a 12 strong group of multi-skilled performers who incorporate skating, dancing, acrobatics, gymnastics, aerial circus and live opera singing into their choreographed show.

She said: 'We now have to up our game and do even better. We have already started thinking about the finals. The acts that get through now face the public vote and no one knows how the public will react to us.

'We just have to give it our best and enjoy it while we can.'

Both acts faced competition from more than 200 performers who were desperate to impress judges Michael McIntyre, Amanda Holden and David Hasselhoff.

Ronan's mum, Maggie Parke, cried and hugged her son when she found out he was through.

She said: 'I'm really excited and we are amazed that Ronan has done so well. We are overwhelmed by it all and really, really hope that he can do his best and do what he really wants to do.

'This is not even about winning a competition - it's about following your dream really.

'He's taken it all in his stride and is coping better than anybody.'

Mrs Parke also said the support from Ronan's school, Framingham Earl High School, and the headteacher had been fantastic.

She said: 'The school has been extremely supportive and the headteacher has been fantastic and given him all the time he has needed.

'We have had 100pc support and we are so grateful to them for that.'

Norwich City legend Bryan Gunn and his family showed their support for the young singer by making special Team Ronan t-shirts.

They also had dinner with the 12-year-old and his family before the singer made his way to London for the Sunday night show.

The former Canary goalkeeper, whose son goes to school with Ronan, said: 'We are nothing but proud of him. As a family friend, it is really great to see his success. He has done himself and his family proud.'

The semi-finals run nightly, starting on Monday, with the grand final to be held next weekend.

The winner's prize is �100,000 in the bank and a slot at the Royal Variety Performance.