London: Ashleigh Butler and her dog Pudsey are the winners of this year's Britain's Got Talent. The 17-year-old from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire and her six-year-old dog narrowly beat Jonathan Antoine and Charlotte Jaconelli to the title after receiving the most votes from the public, leaving Welsh choir Only Boys Allowed in third place.
An emotional Ashleigh, who is due to sit her AS Levels next week, was lost for words after finding out she had won the £500,000 prize. She gushed: 'A massive thank you to everyone that voted for me.'
Essex duo Jonathan, 17, and Charlotte, 16, were gracious runners-up after they said they had an amazing experience. Charlotte said: 'Oh my God, we came second. Its incredible.'
All the judges agreed the show had been too close to call because the standard of the 11 acts had been so high. Ashleigh and her Pudsey had been the penultimate act to perform with their tricks act to the Mission: Impossible theme.
Simon was their biggest cheerleader: 'I think Pudsey is training you. One of my favourite ever acts. You know how much I love dogs. I adore both of you Ashleigh and Pudsey. You've got better and better. What you've done is such a short time is a miracle.'
David enthused: 'I can't believe you've come out here and done another new act. The nation has fallen in love with you and Pudsey.' But as the show progressed, the judges believed it would be between the two final acts to perform and they were right.
The first act to perform was a surprise as hosts Ant and Dec announced boy band The Mend had won the Wild Card place in the final. The four-piece, who sang Sang Usher and David Guetta's song Without You, had previously narrowly missed out on a place after coming third in the first semi-final last Sunday.
Simon told them: 'It was a little bit shaky at the beginning, but I'll put that down to nerves. Then you hit another gear. You did a great performance.'
Alesha was also a big fan: 'You are the full package. You look good. You're an incredible rapper. I love the way to vocalise as a harmony group. I would love to see you at Wembley.'
Second to perform was singer/musician Sam Kelly, who took a risk by performing Bless The Broken Road by country group Rascal Flatts, who are little known outside their native U.S.
David commended him for choosing an unknown track: 'That was your performance ever. With a song most of us don't know you had us in the palm of your hands.'
Alesha agreed: 'That was just gorgeous. Your vocals are so smooth. That performance had an emotional connection which was slightly lacking before.' Stepping up the pace was Welsh dance troupe Nu Sxool, who put on an energetic routine to a mash-up of songs.
The group started squealing with excitement after Simon told them: 'This was by far your best far audition in the competition.' Young Essex singer Molly Rainford, 11, had all the judges standing on their feet after her soaring rendition of the Beyonce version of Ave Maria.
Amanda admitted she was moved to tears: 'You left me so choked up. You are utterly amazing.' Simon praised her for stepping up her vocals: 'That is you as a church singer which is what your should be doing. Tonight was 110 per cent. You've just thrown a bomb under the whole competition.
Winning over all the judges again was London 'lad band' Loveable Rogues with their own song Honest. Amanda said: 'The personality that you have comes right through your songs. You're like modern folk singers. You're just funny. You're hysterical.'
Simon was full of praise when he said they sounded like they had already made it: 'You're like someone who's already made it who comes to perform on the results show. There's a real market for you and I predict great things for you.'
Latin American dance duo Kai Widdrington and Natalia Javed had a mixed reception from the judges after their performance to Bruno Mars' Runaway Baby.
In the VT, Natalia admitted she was concerned about the performance after injuring her calf during rehearsals, leaving her seeing a physiotherapist.
Drawing experience from her three years on the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel, Alesha admitted there were some issues.
She said: 'I have to be honest, but I think it was more disjointed. I think Kai was more ahead than Natali and am not as sure if it was down to the injury.'
But Simon praised them for doing their best during an unfortunate scenario: 'Hours ago you were lying in torture on that table. I think viewers will forgive the slip-up in the middle. I love people like you that are hard workers.'
Synchronised swimming group Aquabatique performed in silver and red swimsuits to a mix of various songs from a tank outside the studios.
Despite his own swimming experience and hiring the girls to perform at his 2010 wedding to Lara Stone, David was disappointed.
He said: 'I loved that girls, I didn't love it as much as the other night. It didn't have the coherence as a piece. But I don't think people appreciate how hard it is to do.'
However, the remainder of the judges disagreed, with Simon hitting back: 'David may be a very good swimmer but he doesn't know about synchronised swimming. I like the fact you're very patriotic.
I thought it was an amazing amazing routine.'
Irish singer/songwriter Ryan O'Shaughnessy, who was a contestant on The Voice of Ireland, wowed everyone with his own track No Name.
David said: 'That is the most emotional performance we've ever seen on Britain's Got Talent. You so connected with the song you were singing. You were heartbreaking. You're going to have a big future as a musician.'
Welsh choir Only Boys Aloud sang a rousing version of Welsh song Calon Lân.
Simon admitted he was really moved by the song: 'This is why I love this show, I got emotional listening to a song and I didn't understand a word of it. This is the best of the night for me.'
Alesha added: 'It was a really special moment. I could feel the passion from every single one of you. I felt it from all of you.' Runners-up Jonathan and Charlotte were the last to perform with a powerful rendition of The Prayer.
Simon admitted again he had been moved by the song: 'Tonight's made me feel quite emotional. You're both talented and your loyalty and friendship makes you special.'
Amanda managed to censor herself admitted she was inspired to swear because they were so good: 'Just ridiculously good. If I could swear, I would say .... me, you're brilliant.'
Meanwhile, former Britain's Got Talent acts, dance troupe Diversity and Scottish singer Susan Boyle returned to the stage to perform as the viewers cast their votes.
