SCHOOLGIRL ninja warrior Jesse Jane McParland narrowly missed out a place in the final of ITV show Britain's Got Talent last night.
The nine-year-old martial arts expert from Keady in Co Armagh earned a standing ovation from the judges, after she backflipped, kicked, punched and fought ninjas with a sword in a high-energy routine.
She was backed by judges Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell, but lost out to impressionist Danny Posthill in the public vote.
Speaking before her performance, the Our Lady's and St Mochua's primary school pupil said she was desperate to get through to the final.
"I really, really, really want to be in the final. It would just mean the whole world to me," she said.
Dressed in a distinctive black silk outfit, the little girl with more than 100 martial arts titles to her name put her all into her performance.
JJ's delighted father Gary cheered her on from the crowd in London as the judges praised her skills.
Cowell said her routine was "amazing".
"God you terrify me," he said. "You are so funny and so, kind of scary at the same time. The whole routine was great. It was well choreographed. To put all that together (for a) live show. Amazing."
David Walliams said her performance was "like watching a Bruce Lee movie except with a little girl".
"I might take your life and put it in a children's book," the author joked. "Brilliant, brilliant act and so original and so different. Definitely don't try this at home kids because it did look really, really dangerous."
Alesha Dixon said the primary school pupil was "remarkable".
"You're not a princess but you are a warrior. I love you," she said.
Holden praised "the fire" in Jesse's performance.
"You look so sweet, like butter wouldn't melt, but you could slice through butter really fast. You scare me, but you're brilliantly scary so well done."
Contestants have been competing this week for a place in Sunday's final, with the hope of winning a 250,000 cash prize and the opportunity to appear at the Royal Variety Performance.
The acts who were voted through to the final earlier this week include Welsh choir Cor Glanaethwy and performing dog act Jules O'Dwyer and Matisse.
