Flipping, rolling and standing on his head, Mr Bowers had judge Simon Cowellsending the 'absolutely brilliant' retiree through to the semi-final, said reports on Monday.

'This is why I love doing this show - because of people like you, Fred,' Cowell said.

However, Mr Bower's neighbours told the UK tabloid, The Sun, that the pensioner recieves £70 ($142) a week and a free car to help him get around with a permanently injured leg.

"I've no idea how he expected to get away with carrying on claiming while pulling off such amazing dance moves in front of millions of TV viewers,' one neighbour said.

Bowers said he had been breakdancing for about five years, and now performs at nightclubs as often as seven days a week, reported news.com.au.

'It all started when I fell down, and when I got back up I found myself spinning on one knee,' he told The Sun.

'It's mostly my back, neck and head that I move so I don't see what the problem is because it is my leg that's bad.

'I'm not earning a penny through my dancing yet so I don't see the problem until I start earning.'