Simon Cowell was branded ‘rude’ by Britain’s Got Talent viewers after he started meowing like a cat down the microphone during the semi-finals. I bet that’s a sentence you never thought you’d read, eh?

The TV talent show draws to a close later today (4 June) with the grand final set to kick off at 7.30pm on ITV - where one lucky act is set to go home with a whopping £250,000 and a chance to perform at the Royal Variety Performance this year.

After weeks of auditions, judges Cowell, Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden, and Alesha Dixon have whittled down the competition to a handful of acts who will fight out to be crowned the winner.

However, during Friday night’s (2 June) show there seemed to be a difference of opinion between the judges - leading to Cowell getting a telling off from host Declan Donnelly.

ITV

Dance duo Romeo and Icy had finished their performance and were standing awaiting feedback from the judges, with Cowell praising the pair for their moves.

However, Dixon was less impressed, telling the dancers: “For me, in terms of the dance level I’m looking for, I still don’t think it’s enough to win the show.

“It’s just personal taste. You know, you’ve got incredible acts out there, like Twist and Pulse, doing this kind of thing, so I think there’s definitely space for you…”

At this point, seemingly in stark disagreement, Cowell began to make loud cat noises directly into his mic.

With Cowell still meowing away, Holden then shared her views on the act, telling them: “Yes you’ve upped your game but for me this still wasn’t at the level that I was hoping for.

ITV

“This is Britain’s Got Talent, and we could go on all day about what brilliant characters you are and what great personalities you have…”

And with Cowell clearly showing no signs of stopping his disruptive behaviour - Donnelly cut in to say: “Simon, Simon, can we hear what they’ve got to say to the guys please."

Cowell replied: “Oh, sorry!”

Viewers at home were as unimpressed as Donnelly, with one person tweeting: “Simon being extremely childish and rude! Trying to drown out the other comments. Pathetic.”

Another said: “Simon being disrespectful making stupid noises while judges are talking, grow up man.”

While a third commented: “Why was Simon Cowell channelling his inner cat? That was rude, disrespectful and weird.”