UPDATE: Can we please remind people that Hollie is a 10 year old girl. Whether or not you agree with Simon’s decision to let her sing again, remember that she is only a child and some of your vicious comments speak more about you than about her.

Only those with a heart of stone could have watched Hollie Steel break down on tonight’s Britain’s Got talent semi final and not almost join her in tears.

The little girl came onto the stage and began to sing Edelwiess from Sound Of Music. It was obvious from the start that she was nervous and her voice shook from the first note, I was so scared watching her progress.

By the middle of the song Hollie was wobbling and a few seconds later she broke down completely and the music had to be stopped. Hollie’s mum came up to the stage to comfort her and Hollie begged for a second chance. The producers, ever worried about their ad breaks and revenue figures, told Ant and Dec that she couldn’t perform for a second time. Hollie was almost in hysterics at the news, until, Simon Cowell swooped in and promised her that they would fit her in again at some point during the show.

Hollie reappeared later in the show and sang the song fully with no more tears. When the results were announced Hollie was placed up against Greg Pritchard for a place in tomorrow’s final.

By the end of the series the debate will be raging on whether or not children should be put under this sort of pressure and whether it is detrimental to their well-being to be judged in this way. I don’t think I would put my ten year old through the ordeal.