Sling Swing mums kicked off Britain's Got Talent despite four 'yes' votes
When Sling Swing, a group of 15 mothers who dance with their babies strapped to them, received four 'yes' votes from the Britain's Got Talent judges they were naturally elated.
But now producers have told them they have not made it through to the live shows and members fear their audition will now not be aired on Saturday.
ITV bosses said that not all acts that make it past the judges can then survive the 'deliberation' round that follows to determine who will appear in the live shows.
Carly Birchell, who founded the dance group, said: "When we had the judges-round auditions we had producers come and say how much they liked the act and telling us the sorts of questions they were going to ask next.
"We all felt positive about it and it was just a shock at the last minute to hear we hadn't made it through."
During their audition, the group danced to Ant and Dec's hit Let's Get Ready To Rhumble, demonstrating that rocking their babies helped to keep them quiet.
Wowed judge Simon Cowell told the group: "I've never seen an act like this on Britain's Got Talent. It must work as none of these babies are crying."
He added: "It's incredible. But what happens in a year's time – do you have another baby?"
Mother-of-one Mrs Birchell then received a letter congratulating the troupe but also explaining that the yes votes were no guarantee that they would make it further in the show.
Mrs Birchell, aged 33, of Penn, Wolverhampton, said: "The idea of going on the show was to show other mums what they could do with their babies.
"We didn't go on the show to win."
"We had lots of positive comments," she added. "It's just a real shame we never got aired.
"They've got their reasons, I suppose."
ITV spokeswoman Britt Allott said there had been no particular reason the group had not made it further in the talent show.
She said: "Sling Swing received four yeses from the judges and made it through to the deliberation round.
"At deliberation the judges have a hard decision to make in regards which acts they put through to the semi finals as there are only 45 places.
"We wish Sling Swing all the best for the future."
The group has also become well-known for its 'flash mobs', where the mothers and their babies suddenly begin dancing in public.
