Team UDI through to semi-final of Britain's Got Talent

Siberian dance sensations Team UDI have made it through to the semi-final of UK television show Britain’s Got Talent.

The group, formed by three friends from Tomsk in 1998, are among the 45 acts in with a chance of collecting a £250,000 (19million roubles) cheque for winning the contest.

Judges had placed more than 200 acts through to the next round following auditions held in February, but this was cut during the show broadcast in the UK on Saturday night.

After making the shortlist for the semi-finals, which will be shown live on British television every evening this week, chief judge Simon Cowell said: 'These are going to be the craziest finals we've ever done.'

It is not known yet what day Team UDI will perform but, if they are voted through by the public this week, the grand final will be held in London on Sunday. As well as the prize money, the winning act will take a place at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen later in the year.

Lifelong friends Yuri Bakin, Igor Andrikevich and Denis Vishnyak won the hearts of millions with their breath-taking routine - and their promise to build a new gymnastic school for under-privileged children if they triumph in this year's series.

The group has spent the past decade dedicating their time to working with orphans and other disadvantaged youngsters. They insist the £250,000 winner’s cheque, and the associated global fame, would not just transform their lives but also hundreds of dancers at their school.

Igor, 34, said: 'We have gone through this kind of thing ourselves and we know what it is like when you are deprived of attention, or when no one wants you.

'I was 10 years old when my father left the family. I don't know where he is, or if he is alive. I was on the list of poor children and was helped with clothes, some of which were one size too big.

'At times I also had to keep an eye on my younger sister while my mother was working, and had to take her to kindergarten and pick her up again. It was tough. So, I believe it’s our duty to give an opportunity to these children at our school.'

Bookmakers in Britain make the act second favourites to win behind singer Callum Scott.

During their audition they left the judges speechless, as their fluorescent body suits created dramatic movements against a dark background.

Amanda Holden told them: 'I'm almost at a loss for words. It just felt so brilliant'. Fellow judge David Walliams added: 'We always say here we're looking for something we've never seen before on Britain's Got Talent. And I've never seen anything like that. That was brilliant.'

Alesha Dixon then said: 'Visually it was one of the best things I think I’ve ever seen. That was absolutely perfect.'