Simon Cowell is Blown away by Opera Singer Emma Jones

Following the unprecedented success of erstwhile Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle, expectations have remained high for another golden voice to grace the show's stage.

And on Saturday's episode of the ITV talent show, that answer came in the form of Emma Jones, 23, who blew the judges away with her pitch-perfect rendition of Opera classic Ave Maria.

The hopeful appeared particularly timid as she took to the stage, telling judge Simon Cowell before her performance: "I just wanted to try it and see if you liked my voice."

After admitting to feeling nervous, Emma hesitated as the backing music rang out over capacity-filled theatre before belting out her rich times, much to the shock of the audience.

No-nonsense judge Simon Cowell smiled broadly as he watched the performance, leaping to his feet alongside Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden to give her a standing ovation.

Emma looked on in disbelief as she watched the theatre audience applaud and cheer her on following her rousing performance.

"You should be confident, Emma , you have a fantastic voice," asserted David. "Very few of us could sing like that and you should come out and sing like a winner, because that's what you are."

Added Simon: "I really like you. Actually, I'm going to change that - I love you."

After she was unanimously sent through to the next round, an elated Emma hugged co-hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as she admitted: "I was never expecting that kind of reaction."

Also winning over the audience was 17-year-old contortionist dancer Bonetics, who revealed that he took up the craft as a way of overcoming behavioural issues when he was younger.

The talented teen drew gasps from the audience as he twisted his body into shapes unimaginable for most during a routine that, again, brought the audience to its feet.

Bonetics wiped away tears as he saw the reaction he got from the impressed audience.

Simon later described the performance as "one of the most incredible things we've ever seen on this show".