Not many entertainment acts have managed to get showbiz supremo Simon Cowell to change his mind over the years.

But one pioneering panto troupe managed to do just that during their memorable final Britain's Got Talent (BGT) performance.

During their time on the hit ITV show, Dame Nation wowed judges David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden with their theatric rendition of 'It’s Raining Men' by The Weather Girls, among other restyled hits.

But the semi final proved one step too far for the pantomime act who exited the competition before the final which was eventually won by comedian Axel Blake last night.

Speaking for the first time since their exit, Gravesham's favourite dame Mother Goose, aka Mama G has revealed all about their time on the show – including which act they were closest to, what Amanda Holden said about them backstage, and how Simon "buzzing" them actually worked in their favour.

"It was really fun," said Mama G – real name, Robert Pearce. "The first audition was incredible because we didn't know what to expect and the reaction from the audience was immense.

"We got so many messages about how much we had made people smile."

And this was the simple inspiration behind the project, added the 38-year-old dame. "It is about making people smile and bringing joy to people, especially after the last few years."

It's been 18 months in the works with the act made up of professional pantomime dames from across the UK, formed during the pandemic.

Leader of the troupe, Mama G is a panto drag act and performer best known for her digital storytelling, tales of inclusivity and energetic live performances.

The drag queen has worked with Disney, Pride in London and London Zoo and performs regularly at the Woodville theatre in Gravesend, as well as various other venues across the UK.

Dame Nation were the first group to bring pantomime to the BGT stage and Mama G says she is "immensely" proud of what they have achieved.

This included a standing ovation from BGT judges David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden during their first live performance.

Last Thursday the group performed another music and dance medley during the semi-final stage.

The cheeky group even bent over in a line and flashed their underwear to reveal the message, 'We [heart symbol] Simon'.

But this was after Mr Cowell had already buzzed them. Speaking after the performance, he said: "I feel really, really bad now.

"At that point, it wasn’t going great and then everything changed at the midway point.

"The second half had a lot more energy, it was a lot more fun so I am half-taking my ‘X’ away."

Alesha remarked: "You're definitely more David's cup of tea than mine, but having said that I still think it was a really colourful opener", with Amanda adding "they were "[her] kind of act".

"I got to call Simon a pantomime baddie"

But Mama G said they took the initial rejection from Simon in good spirits and actually believe it might have worked to their advantage on the night.

"I got to call Simon a pantomime baddie," she said. "This was actually perfect because every pantomime act needs a baddie.

"The good thing is he actually took his buzzer back and that is nice because it felt like some sort of validation."

Backstage Mama G said the group had "lots of lovely comments from the crew" and also revealed the thoughts of another judge in radio host Amanda Holden.

Rob added: "We were all getting changed in the same area and Amanda walked past and she was gobsmacked by our outfits and she stopped in the doorway and was talking about her favourites."

Mama G also revealed how the group struck up a friendship with fellow contestants 5 Star Boys whose anti-bullying dance performance struck a chord with the dames and their own experiences when young.

"We were good friends and got along well with the 5 Star boys," she said. "It was like we were the end of the journey and they were the beginning."

With nearly two decades of panto behind her, Mama G says she is not one to get stage fright.

But the performer revealed how she had to conquer her own fears during the final performance which featured being suspended on cables in the air and slowly being lowered down from the ceiling.

"I'm quite scare of heights and so I made sure I was one of the people who flew and I got to do it at Hammersmith Apollo," the drag act explained.

"That is one of the things that will always stay with me."

On their overall performance, she added: "I'm really pleased to have been part of the first BGT panto act and I'm really proud of how we all came across."

Due to clashes with the filming schedule for this year's show, Mama G will not feature in this years Gravesend panto

But the panto star says you can still catch her in a string of local events this year including a wartime murder mystery at the Woodville charity fundraiser and a storytelling event for kids in Chatham.