Hollie was upset about Simon Cowell’s negative comments about choice of attire and song, and she said: “Simon is a bully. He was very mean to me. He might have thought it was funny but it’s lonely up there on that stage on your own. I’m only 10 and when he said those things about my tutu I felt like I wanted to cry.

“I had tears in my eyes but I didn’t want to him to see me cry like the bullies at school so I thought of things that made me happy. I thought of being in the final of Britain’s Got Talent and winning it.”

The other judges, Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan and Kelly Brook, had only nice things to say about Hollie. Amanda said it was like “looking in a mirror” (Amanda Holden performed when she was a child). Piers Morgan went as far as to say that Hollie was the best child performed he had seen in three years of filming “Britain’s Got Talent”.

However, Simon was on his usual form when he said: “Hollie, Hollie, Hollie… let me tell you what I think. I didn’t like what you were wearing. You came across as a typical little girl who wants to be a ballerina, and I wasn’t crazy about the song.”

Hollie was perhaps a little sensitive to Simon’s remarks because she has suffered with bullying at school. She said: “Simon’s comments really hurt because I have been bullied for a long time. I get picked on for my singing and because I’m small. One boy said I sounded like a cat being killed and girls tell me I’m no good and that I’m out of tune.

“They have pushed and shoved me in the past but it’s the words that hurt most. My eyes water but I don’t want to cry so I go to the toilets where no one can see me.

“But the bullies just make me more determined to do well.”

It is a sad fact of life that children, who are special for any reason, or who have a talent, or who are just different to the norm, often get picked on a school. Usually, it is jealousy that motivates such spiteful comments and actions. Hollie just needs to stay strong and do the best she can with her amazing talent,  because being happy and leading a great life is the best thing that she can do.

“But the bullies just make me more determined to do well.”

Indeed, Simon Cowell appeared to be about to press the red buzzer on her.

But the she opened her mouth to sing. The judges were literally gobsmacked as she opened her mouth to sing “I Could Have Danced All Night” from the musical My Fair Lady, originally sung by Julie Andrews. Simon quickly withdrew his hand from the buzzer area.

Hollie Steel’s voice was amazing. It was as though her voice was coming from an adult – not a 10 year old girl.

View Hollie Steel’s audition here

Hollie brought the audience and the judges to their feet, and she received a standing ovation.

The judges praised the little girl.

Amanda Holden said: “It was like looking in a mirror. (Laughter from the other judges) It’s ridiculous how much talent you have. The voice that came out of you I was stunned at.”

Piers Morgen said: “We have seen lots of children on the show in three years now and I have never heard anyone sing as well as you.”

Kelly Brook, a guest judge on the show, said, “I just didn’t expect that voice to come out of a tiny little thing. Beautiful and lovely.”

Simon’s response was more measured. He began by telling Hollie Steel what he didn’t like. He said: “I didn’t like what you were wearing because you came over as a typical little girl who wants to be a ballerina. I wasn’t crazy about the song. Then I heard you sing and I think, Hollie, you’ve got a fantastic voice. The fact that you don’t know how good you are is what I really like about you. But this just might just be the tip of the iceberg because I think you’re better than that.”

Hollie was accompanied to the audition by her proud parents. Her father commented: “I am so proud every time she performs, there’s no doubt about it.”