janey Cutler, the 81 year-old great gran from Wishaw dubbed the new Susan Boyle (or NuBo) after wowing the judges on Britains’ Got Talent suffered heartache tonight as she failed to make her mark on tonight’s final.
Janey had vowed to go one better than international singing sensation susan Boyle, who came runner-up in last year’s final.
But in the end it wasn’t to be as she failed to make the final top three in what was a disappointing night for the plucky pensioner.
Gymnastic troupe Spellbound were crowned this year’s BGT champion, with dance act Twist & Pulse second and 13 year-old drumming sensation Kieran Gaffney third.
Expectations were high that Janey could take the crown but it was clear from the start of her performance she was struggling.
Janey performed an English rendition of Edith Piaf classic , Non, je ne regrette rien. But she faltered at the start falling behind the music and had her work cut out for her to catch up- which she bravely did..
Piers told the plucky Glasgow granny:" I could tell you were slightly behind the music at the start and you were struggling to catch up. But I tell you, once you caught up that’s part of being a star isn’t it. Live television, millions watching, you’re over 80 years old and you just suddenly went you know what I’m not going to be beaten by this. You’re a remarkable lady and that was a great performance and a great recovery."
A sympathetic Amada said: “Earlier on you asked for my autograph in the corridor, well I think after tonight I’ll be asking you for yours. The last part of that song was terrific. Well done.”
Simon added: "I really felt for you…when you missed the first part and you’ve got to catch up on live TV, for any performer with a lot of experience that’s a hard, hard thing to do. I don’t know how you managed it. But what we’ve got to do is forget first part and listen to the second part because you are one gutsy lady you really are."
Janey became a show favourite after she appeared in the fourth Britain’s Got Talent audition and performed her now signature tune, Edith Piaf’s No Regrets.
Some doubted whether she would be able to sing anything else with such power and feeling but in the semi-finals she received a standing ovation when she sang Shirley Bassey's hit, This is My Life .
Simon Cowell told her: “You epitomise this show. It’s not just about talent its about spirit and character You gave it 100% and I am going to remember this performance for a long time.”
Janey became a favourite with presenters Ant and Dec, laughing as she told them she "cannae get o'er" being in the show.
The Wishaw warbler could now go on to enjoy similar success to Scot’s Britain’s Got Talent 2009 runner-up, Susan Boyle.
Janey has already been dubbed Nu-Bo and just like Su-Bo before her, Americans have taken the unassuming lady into their hearts, desperate for her to make appearances across the pond.
According to The Sun, US TV channels, including NBC and CBS, want to broadcast the humble grandma into tens of millions of American homes.
Janey told The Sun: "I'm over the moon just to have been able to perform on the programme.
"That's all I've ever wanted to do. But this interest from America is making it even more of a dream come true."
Although Janey has now been crowned winner, it wasn’t something she ever considered.
She previously said: “If I won? That’s not something I’ve even thought about, I’m just happy to be doing something I enjoy in singing. Any money would go towards animals and kiddies who I adore, why have money sat in the bank when it can help people. I would look after my family and the grandchildren.”
Tonight Janey and her friends, family and fans will be disappointed she didn’t go all the way. What the future holds nobody knows. But for now Janey can sit back and smile as she enjoys her favourite tipple of whisky and Irn Bru, safe in the knowledge she did what she set out to achieve, making Scotland proud.
