Taiwanese fire dancer receives unanimous praise at BGT final

Taipei/London, May 31 (CNA) Taiwanese fire dancer Yang Li-wei's (楊立微) final performance at Britain's Got Talent (BGT) on Saturday earned unanimous praise from the judges, although she ultimately did not win the competition.

Yang opened her routine by somersaulting onto center stage with flames blazing from her ankles. Later, alongside her husband, Lai Kuan-chih, she balanced on his shoulders while juggling a flaming table with her feet, earning a standing ovation from all four judges at the end of the act.

The performance drew enthusiastic praise from the judging panel, with Amanda Holden describing it as "such a feast." She said she could not believe how fearless the pair were.

Fellow judge KSI called it "a BGT-winning performance," while Alesha Dixon praised the duo for raising their game and bringing something new to the stage. Simon Cowell described the act as "breathtaking" and said it was their best performance of the competition.

Speaking after the performance, Yang said she could not believe she was standing on the BGT final stage. She said she had spent 23 years practicing foot juggling and had personally decorated the juggling table with a flower in the colors of the United Kingdom's flag.

"It's a gift for everyone," she said. "I hope today everyone can remember my name. My name is Li-wei Yang, from Taiwan."

Yang is the first Taiwanese performer to reach the BGT final. She was one of 10 finalists and among five contestants who received a Golden Buzzer during the semifinals.

After the results were announced, Yang's troupe, Coming True Fire Group, said in a Facebook post that her flawless performance was "perfect" and that she was already a champion in their hearts.

The group also thanked supporters in Taiwan and around the world for cheering on the "brave girl."

The competition was ultimately won by the Hawkstone Farmers Choir, a group of more than 30 farmers from across the United Kingdom.