Britain’s Got Talent past winners – where are they now? From Panto to their very own films, a look at the varied successes of the show’s former champions
Britain’s Got Talent is set to return to screens with a bang on April 15 for the 2023 series, with a dazzling lineup of hopefuls battling it out to impress the judges.
As well as the £250,000 prize money and a coveted spot on the Royal Variety Performance, the performers will no doubt be hoping to follow on from the success of past winners before them.
But where are all the former Britain’s Got Talent champions now?
From panto to TV judging and their very own films, the previous victors have enjoyed varying levels of fame and success since being crowned the winner.
As the new begins, MailOnline takes a look back at what the winners are up to…
Paul Potts – Opera Singer – Series 1 (2007)
First winner: Former mobile salesman Paul Potts was Britain’s Got Talent’s very first winner back in 2007, having impressed the judges with his powerhouse vocals
Former mobile salesman Paul Potts was Britain’s Got Talent’s very first winner back in 2007, having impressed the judges with his powerhouse vocals.
Following his success on the show, he took the world by storm, bagging a platinum album with his debut album One Chance – which topped the album charts in 13 countries.
Paul has since gone on to release six further albums and has won numerous accolades, while a film biopic of his life, starring James Cordon, was released in 2013.
These days, Paul is still singing and performing around the world, with the star currently in New Zealand for a number of concerts including a performance at Stetson Group’s 50 Golden Years of Musicals.
George Sampson – Street Dancer – Series 2 (2008)
Young star: George was just 14 when he was crowned series 2 champion, having particular;y impressed in the final thanks to his performance to Mint Royale’s remix of Singin’ In The Rain
George was just 14 when he was crowned series 2 champion, having particularly impressed in the final thanks to his performance to Mint Royale’s remix of Singin’ In The Rain.
While dancing is his passion, George later turned his hand to acting, having appeared as Kyle Stack in Waterloo Road and Gary in Mount Pleasant.
He also went on to have roles in Emmerdale and the StreetDance films, while also treading the boards in Panto.
George recently appeared as the Prince in the Cinderella pantomime in Clacton-on-Sea.
The performer is also loved up with actress girlfriend Kazmin Borrer, with the couple recently celebrating their three-year anniversary.
Diversity – Street Dance Troupe – Series 3 (2009)
Great talent: Diversity were the surprise winner of series 3, having beat fan favourite Susan Boyle to the top spot
Diversity were the surprise winner of series 3, having beat fan favourite Susan Boyle to the top spot.
They’ve since gone on to huge success, having fronted several of their own arena tours and have made numerous television appearances – including a controversial, but award winning return to BGT in 2021.
The group are also set to launch their Diversity Studio website later this month where people can sign up and book dance classes.
Choreographer Ashley Banjo has carved out a successful solo career too, appearing as a judge on several shows including s Dance Dance Dance, Got To Dance and currently Dancing On Ice.
Spelbound – Gymnastic Troupe – Series 4 (2010)
Impressive: The gymnastic troupe left the judges and audience literally spellbound thanks to their incredible routines and jaw-dropping stunts
The gymnastic troupe left the judges and audience literally spellbound thanks to their incredible routines and jaw-dropping stunts.
After beating Twist and Pulse in the final, Spelbound went on to release their own DVD and had the honour of performing at the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012.
However, since their Royal Variety Performance that same year, Spelbound have largely faded from the public eye.
The group did hot the headlines again in 2015 when coach Neil Griffiths was accused of mistreatment by parents of three children, however, he was since cleared and described the ordeal as ’18 months of hell’.
Jai McDowall – Singer – Series 5 (2011)
Surprise winner: The Scottish singer stunned both the judges and the viewers when he beat favourite Ronan Parke to be crowned the series 5 winner
The Scottish singer stunned both the judges and the viewers when he beat favourite Ronan Parke to be crowned the series 5 winner.
And while his performance of Bring Me To Life by Evanescence did impress, he didn’t fare too well in his music career when his debut album only reached number 54 in the charts.
He was subsequently dropped from Simon Cowell’s record label, with the music mogul later harshly admitting that he wished Jai hadn’t have won the show.
They later reunited on 2019 Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions in 2019, where Simon gave a grovelling apology for not ‘supporting’ Jai in the past.
Jai is still performing and has also turned his hand to theatre, having starred in the UK musical production of Come What May.
Ashleigh and Pudsey – Performing Dog Act – Series 6 (2012)
Adorable: Ashleigh and Pudsey’s Mission Impossible inspired routine won the hearts of the nation, with the duo going on to win the huge prize money and a spot on the Royal Variety Performance
Ashleigh and Pudsey’s Mission Impossible inspired routine won the hearts of the nation, with the duo going on to win the huge prize money and a spot on the Royal Variety Performance.
Their success saw them bag their very own film, Pudsey the Dog: The Movie, with former judge David Walliams voicing Pudsey.
After numerous TV shows and live appearances, a devastated Ashely announced in July 2011 that her beloved pet dog had died aged 11 after a leukaemia diagnosis.
Later that year, Ashleigh introduced her new dog Sully, with the two going on to have success together, even triumphing at Crufts 2023.
Ashleigh, who has also dabbled in Panto, has gone on to become an award-wining dog trainer and in March this year revealed that she and Sully have made the GB Agility Team 2023.
Attraction – Shadow Theatre – Series 7 (2013)
Amazing: The Hungarian shadow artist group made history as the first foreign act to triumph on the show
The Hungarian shadow artist group made history as the first foreign act to triumph on the show.
After winning the programme, the group went on to star in a live TV advert and several live theatre productions including a stint Las Vegas.
Last year they stunned as they made a return to BGT nine years after their success, this time with a new generation of dancers which included some of their children.
Leader of the original group Szűcs Zoltán was back to coach Attraction Juniors, but despite them leaving everyone in tears with their audition, they failed to make it to the semi-finals.
Collabro – Male Singing Group – Series 8 (2014)
Performers: The five-piece, made up of Michael Auger, Richard Hadfield, Jamie Lambert, Matthew Pagan and Thomas J Redgrave, went on to release three albums after winning
The five-piece, made up of Michael Auger, Richard Hadfield, Jamie Lambert, Matthew Pagan and Thomas J Redgrave, went on to release three albums after winning, including their number one debut Stars.
Original member Richard Hadfield quit the group back in 2016 leaving the boys to continue making music as a four-piece.
The band took part in America’s Got Talent: The Champions but failed to make it through to the later stages.
In August 2022, Collabro announced that they would be disbanding following a farewell tour in December that year and their final album Be Still My Soul.
Jules & Matisse – Performing Dog Act – Series 9 (2015)
Controversial: Jules and Matisse were the second dog act to emerged victorious on the show, though their win was shrouded in controversy
Jules and Matisse were the second dog act to emerged victorious on the show, though their win was shrouded in controversy.
Their final performance led to viewers believing they were ‘duped’ after it emerged that another dog that looked exactly like Matisse also took part in the act – causing over 200 people to complain to Ofcom.
Despite the complaints, no formal action was taken and Jules and Matisse were not stripped of their £250k prize money.
They were still allowed to perform at the Royal Variety Performance but this time with a new name, Jules, Matisse and Friends.
Jules has stayed out of the spotlight since after saying in an interview that she prefers to keep a ‘low profile’. She used some of her prize money towards her wedding to girlfriend Marie France.
Jules and border collie Matisse currently live in Tongeren, Belgium and it’s not known if they are still performing.
Richard Jones – Magician – Series 10 (2016)
Magic: Richard was the first magician to win the show back in 2016 and has since gone on to carve out a successful career
Richard was the first magician to win the show back in 2016 and has since gone on to carve out a successful career.
He launched his very own TV show Operation Magic, while he also has his own magic show Power of Imagination.
The former army officer Richard is also still a member of the Band of the Household Cavalry and still performs magic, with Richard only recently announcing a string of UK dates for his An Evening Of Magic tour.
Tokio Myers – Pianist and Music Producer – Series 11 (2017)
Pure talent: Following his impressive win, musician Tokio went on to release his debut album Our Generation in 2017, which was certified gold in 2021
Following his impressive win, musician Tokio went on to release his debut album Our Generation in 2017, which was certified gold in 2021.
The talented performer also featured on Simon Cowell’s charity single Bridge Over Troubled Water, in aid of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Tokio’s work went on to gain him three Classical Brit Awards including Album of the Year.
Tokio went on to appear on America’s Got Talent: The Champions, while he’s also recently spoke of plans to open a new music school for kids from troubled backgrounds and announced the launch of merchandise.
Lost Voice Guy – Comedian – Series 12 (2018)
Funnyman: Lee Ridley aka the Lost Voice Guy was the first comedian to win the show thanks to his hilarious one-liners and charming personality
Lee Ridley aka the Lost Voice Guy was the first comedian to win the show thanks to his hilarious one-liners and charming personality.
After his win, Lee, who has cerebral palsy, starred in Radio 4 sitcom Ability, which he co-wrote.
He’s also bagged a BBC New Comedy Award and has appeared on numerous TV shows including his very own Lost Voice Guy’s Christmas Comedy Club.
Lee also released his very own book ‘I’m Only In It For The Parking, has a range of merchandise on sale and is still performing in venues across the country.
Colin Thackery – Singer – Series 13 (2019)
Fan favourite: Army veteran and a singer Colin didn’t leave a dry eye in the house thanks to his rendition of Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath My Wings, which was dedicated to his late wife Joan
Army veteran and a singer Colin didn’t leave a dry eye in the house thanks to his rendition of Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath My Wings, which was dedicated to his late wife Joan.
Colin released his debut single Love Changes Everything in 2022, which reached number 13 in the charts.
Colin left fans in tears once more when he returned to the show once more in 2022 for a special Platinum Jubilee performance alongside The Chelsea Pensioners Choir & Military Drummers, The D Day Darlings and The D D Juniors.
Jon Courtenay – Singer and Comedian – Series 14 (2020)
Popular: Jon’s mixture of music and comedy won over audiences, earning him the coveted title back in 2020
Jon’s mixture of music and comedy won over audiences, earning him the coveted title back in 2020.
The father-of-two went on to have an impressive career, though suffered a major set back when he battled skin cancer.
After making a recovery, he continued to tour on his one man comedy show.
Jon has also now tried his hand as a podcaster, presenting his own show Alpha-Bet My Life.
Axel Blake – Comedian – Series 15 (2022)
Hilarious: After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Britain’s Got Talent’s latest winner was comedian Axel, who was Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer choice
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Britain’s Got Talent’s latest winner was comedian Axel, who was Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer choice.
Simon said of his performance at the time: ‘You’re the first person honestly who’s ever made a joke about COVID and was funny.’
Axel has gone on to perform several gigs around the country, including London’s 02 Indigo, which aired on Amazon Prime.
He’s currently on his own tour, Axel Blake – In Style – performing at several venues across the country.
Britain’s Got Talent returns on Saturday 15 April at 8pm on ITV.
Source: Read Full Article
