HE MOCKED Simon Cowell and was rude to Alesha Dixon, but a ventriloquist from Basingstoke had plenty of public support after performing in the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent – and he still might make Saturday’s final.

Steve Hewlett was up against eight other acts on last Saturday night’s show, competing for one of just two places in the final.

Steve, who now lives in Eastbourne but whose family still live in Basingstoke, used a dummy of Simon Cowell in his entertaining semi-final performance. He had planned to save the dummy for the final if he made it through.

The father-of-one said: “When they put me in the same heat as popular act Attraction, my wife said ‘you have to pull this out of the bag’.”

The 38-year-old, who grew up in Basingstoke, was declared one of the top three acts of the night, following the public vote, but was left disappointed when he missed out on going through.

Last Saturday, dance act Attraction went straight through, and it was then down to the judges to decide whether to send Steve or Jordan O’Keefe, who sang Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You, through. The panel was split, with David Walliams and Amanda Holden choosing Steve, and Alesha and Simon picking Jordan.

Steve had a nervous wait on stage, before presenters Ant and Dec revealed that guitarist and singer Jordan had secured the most public votes.

Steve said: “I walked off with my head held high. I’m very pleased I came in the top three.”

Steve’s hopes of making Saturday’s final now rest on him being the judges’ one wild card choice from the acts who finished third in the semi-final heats.

Steve is still keeping his fingers crossed that he will make the final. This week, odds showed dancer Joseph Hall as the favourite for the ‘wild-card’ spot at 5/4 followed by Steve at 5/1.

Speaking of his performance on BGT, Steve said: “It’s the best gig I have ever done, and I couldn’t have asked for a better audience.

“I thought I would be more nervous but once I got out there, I was gagging to perform. I did script changes up until the morning of the show and that was nerve-wracking.”

Steve believes Attraction will win the final. He said: “They are phenomenal. The big thing now is who is going to come second. That’s what people are working towards.”