As the audition stages of the competition are nearing an end we thought we might have seen it all, but no, once again Britain’s Got Talent was packed full of more excitement and wows than you can shake a stick at.
It seemed this week was the turn of the tots, as act after act proved that you don’t need to even get to your teenage years to stun the judges with your skills.
First up, however, was a grown up in the form of Graham Blackledge, from Preston. Graham is an organ player and entertainer and took to the stage in the hopes of bagging his ticket to the Royal Variety Show.
After delighting the judges and audience with his sense of humour before his audition he then set off on a less than thrilling recital on the organ. Simon, clearly not in one of his sunnier moods, stopped the maestro mid note because he didn’t like Graham’s smile. Undetterred Graham went on to give a rollicking performance of La Bamba which had the audience on their feet.
Simon said: “Hideous. It’s like eating vanilla ice cream with a sausage. They don’t go together.” However with two yeses from Alesha and David a delighted but baffled Graham was sent through to the next round, but will he listen to the judges’ advice and swap his organ for a stand up act?
A group that had more success with Simon were the Jive Aces, a swing and jazz band dressed in yellow suits who even had the judges singing along to their performance of the Jungle Book classic I Wanna Be Like You.
Simon told them: “I thought that was absolutely brilliant. That has really put me in a good mood.”
Other musical acts to make the grade were Truly Medley Deeply a three-piece group of Masters students from Oxford who covered Papa Americano and Faithless’ I Can’t Get No Sleep.
David Walliams told them: “You come on like boffins and then you make this incredible noise.”
Geisha Davis, 28, from London was also an act that stood out, although perhaps not for the right reasons. The young performance artist bewitched three of the judges with her surreal audition to the children’s nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty.
However the audience and Alesha Dixon were not impressed, with the Mystique singer giving Geisha an emphatic no vote.
Despite this Simon said: “Well you’re so out there, and I don’t know why Geisha but I actually really like you.” Has he lost the plot?!
So despite the audience booing, Geisha charmed her way through to the next round. As she walked off stage Simon wondered: “ I think we were possessed!”
Thankfully the following acts were a whole lot cuter and came in the form of Welsh dance group Nu Sxool. The group, all aged 9-14, delighted the judges with their high octane routine dressed in retro uniforms complete with bunches, blazers and knee-high socks.
Simon said: “You’re like the St. Trinian’s of dance and I like that idea and I think that you could play on that a bit more.”
With a full set of yes votes the delighted dancers skipped through to the next round.
Another pint-sized performer to impress the panel was Molly Rainford, from essex. The talented 11 year old stunned the judges and audience with her soulful voice during her audition where she sang Jennifer Hudson’s One Night Only.
After getting a standing ovation, the little star awaited her fate with bated breath.
Moved to tears, Alesha told her: “You are 11 years old and you sing with such maturity and control. You’ve just blown me away.” The Mystique singer added: “She’s like a little Mariah Carey.” Praise indeed!
Meanwhile ever the comedian, David Walliams joked: “I just worry that you are too old… You’re kind of faultless, well done!”
Music mogul Simon Cowell was similarly impressed telling her: “I like you, because you’ve got soul. I really do believe that.”
However Molly wasn’t the only kid to melt our hearts as the nation met Malaki Paul, a gifted 9 year old who brought the judges and audience to tears when he performed Beyonce’s Listen.
The talented tween started well but then burst into tears with stage fright and had to be comforted by his mum and judge Alesha Dixon. After a quick pep talk he soldiered on and earnt himself four yes votes and a standing ovation. Not bad work little fella!
BRIT’LL BE ALL RIGHT ON THE NIGHT
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