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OLD HANDS

Who are The Pensionalities? Britain’s Got Talent 2017 finalists and Yorkshire singing duo with a combined age of 159

VIEWERS couldn't accuse Britain's Got Talent of being ageist — as one of its most promising final acts is a Yorkshire duo with a combined age of 159.

But what do we know about veteran singing pals The Pensionalities who have made their way to the grand final and what have the judges said about them? Here's all the info you need...

 Henry, left, and Malcolm, right, have a great rapport
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Henry, left, and Malcolm, right, have a great rapport

Who are The Pensionalities and what is their Britain's Got Talent act?

The Pensionalities are made up of Henry Hall, 84, and Malcolm "Malc" White, 75, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

After growing up in coal-mining towns near each other, they have been performing as a singing duo, belting out classic hits, for five years, under the name The Pensionaires.

They were renamed The Pensionalities for the show to side-step legal difficulties because there is a rival act in Canada with their original title.

After singing You Make Me Feel So Young at their audition  dressed in coats, scarves and flat caps — the pair got a standing ovation from the audience.

Simon Cowell even clicked his fingers to their rendition, and compared them to Ant and Dec.

 Henry does his thing in full Yorkshireman regalia
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Henry does his thing in full Yorkshireman regalia

Have Henry and Malcolm always been professional singers?

Both the lads' fathers were miners, and Henry's first job was at a motor cycle firm, which paid him just £1.50 a week.

He then took over a motor company in the 1960s, and retired 44 years later.

At that point Henry longed to return to his first love, singing, and soon met Malcolm through Probus, a worldwide network of businessman.

Malcolm had tried to make it as a crooner for several years after he turned 25 in 1966, but got tired of "living out of a suitcase" and soon gave it up to work in a garage, and sell furniture and carpets.

For the 35 years before forming a duo with Henry, Malcolm hadn't been on stage, but grew his confidence again by performing at birthday parties and events before they auditioned for BGT.

The pair also love dancing and enjoy getting recognised in the street by selfie-hunters after appearing on the ITV programme.

Bookies are offering odds of 16/1 on The Pensionalities winning the show.

 The northern lads have a lot going for them
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The northern lads have a lot going for them

When are the Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals on and who else is through?

The live semi-final shows are broadcast nightly from Monday May 29 to Friday June 2, starting at 7.30pm on ITV and lasting for 90 minutes (and the results revealed at 9.30pm).

Even more coverage can be found on ITV at the end of each show as Stephen Mulhern hosts Britain’s Got More Talent at 10pm.

There are semi-finals to come until June 2, and the final will take place on Saturday, June 3 they were originally scheduled for June 4 but have been moved to accommodate Ariana Grande’s Tribute Concert in aid of the Manchester bombing victims.

The winners of the fourth semi-final will compete against Kyle Tomlinson, DNA, Issy SimpsonMatt Edwards as well as Ned Woodman and Tokio Myers in the grand final.

The BGT winner will receive a prize packet of £250,000 and the chance to perform for the Queen and royals at the Royal Variety Performance.

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