TWELVE-year-old pianist Michael Ng has been given the thumbs up by television’s toughest judge, Simon Cowell.

And the talented musician was also labelled “so cute” by Amanda Holden as he won over the judges on Britain’s Got Talent during auditions at the ICC Birmingham broadcast on Saturday.

Michael, of Langford Village, Bicester, made it to round two of the competition where he will now compete against 1,000 other acts for one of just 40 places in the live semi-finals.

Michael said he was not nervous before or during the audition, and even joked with judge David Walliams, who despite there being a piano on stage, asked if he was going to play the piano?

Michael quipped: “Yes, you are absolutely right.”

Michael played two pieces of music for the judges, the third movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata – described as a fast and fairly difficult piece – and River Boogie, by Jools Holland.

He said: “The judges said we have had the caviar, now we want some spaghetti bolognese – after the classical piece they told me to play something modern. They just didn’t show that on TV.

“The audition was really fun and the judges were really nice.

“The best bit was when everyone was clapping when I got four yes’s, it was phenomenal.”

During the performance all four judges looked mesmerised, and afterwards Mr Cowell, known for his brutally honest opinion, told him: “You are a brilliant piano player.”

About 70,000 people from across the UK entered the talent contest, which offers the winning act a cash prize and the chance to perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.

Michael’s mum Cheri said it was the second time he had entered the talent contest.

She added: “He loved the stage and said the best part was performing in front of thousands of people.

“Michael was joking with the judges – I couldn’t have done it.

“He was over the moon to get through. It’s brilliant.”

Last month Michael passed his piano diploma – a level usually taken by 18-year-olds – making him one of the youngest in the area to pass.

The Aylesbury Grammar School pupil has performed at various events in Bicester, including the Christmas lights switch-on, but his biggest dream is to play on a famous stage in front of the Royal family.

Bell ringing couple Gay and Alan Cooper, of Wallingford, made it through to last year’s semi-final, but were denied a place in the final by Cowell.