Michael Barrymore is facing criticism from Britain’s Got Talent fans after a video showing him mocking Susan Boyle was posted on the internet.

The singing sensation auditioned for the former TV host’s talent show My Kind of People in 1995 but he spent the performance slithering along the stage floor on his back trying to look up her skirt.

Boyle, who found world-wide fame when she appeared on Britain’s Got Talent a fortnight ago, went on singing as she kicked at Barrymore’s face in an attempt to keep him away, while the live audience laughed.

She was reduced to crouching on the floor as she sang I Don’t Know How To Love Him from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

Barrymore then began singing himself before grabbing Boyle and kissing her.

The audition never made it to air, but fellow contestant Elizabeth MacLean’s daughter recorded the scene on camcorder and handed it over to a Scottish tabloid today.

"Susan was a few people in front of me,” MacLean told The Daily Record.

"When she began to sing I knew she had a great voice, but Barrymore was intent on taking the mickey out of her."

As the clip hit YouTube today, Barrymore, whose career slumped after the body of Stuart Lubbock was found in his swimming pool, became the target of angry Boyle fans.

“Typical Barrymore. I remember this show and I remember if anyone had any talent at all he started to mess. He hated to be upstaged and to be shown as the talentless hack he truly is. Well look who laughing now,” posted one.

“What an a***! Trying to steal the show away from the real talent of Susan, in such a vulgar way,” wrote another.

But for others it provided but more reason to heap praise on the Scot, who has become a global star.

“How much courage did it take for her to appear on Britain’s Got Talent? When you consider this experience, I think a great deal of courage, indeed.”

Boyle continues to make world headlines and remains the favourite to win the ITV talent show.

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