Happy Birthday dear Grethe, the wonderful picture lady on the fan sites. I hope you enjoy your birthday and have a wonderful year ahead with lots of good health and much fun as you scout out pictures for us to enjoy. Big hug to you, from graysea xoxox
First appearing on screens in 2007, Britain’s Got Talent opened the floodgates for all entertainment disciplines as Simon Cowell’s talent show promised to scour the nation – not just for singing stars, but for all kinds of wild and wonderful talent’s. Since the show began, the UK has been in awe of back flipping acrobats, angelic voiced grannies, jaw dropping hip-hop routines, dancing dogs, fire eaters, and more. With a cash prize and the chance to perform in front of HRH The Queen at the annual Royal Variety Show up for grabs, BGT has uncovered some of the nation’s greatest talents.
With the show back on our screens this weekend, we count down the top 10 high points.
10. Paul Potts
It is tradition that the first winner of a reality talent show should disappear into obscurity or suffer a severe public backlash. Original Popstars Hear’Say went from having the fastest selling debut single of all time to having the public baying for their blood practically overnight. Steve Brookstein won the first edition of The X Factor, but didn’t exactly set the charts on fire. And, um, who won The Voice series one last year? Paul Potts – the first winner of BGT – has bucked this trend. The opera singer enjoyed chart success with his first two albums, has appeared on the Royal Variety Show twice, appeared on Oprah, and his life story is being adapted into a big screen adventure with James Corden attached to play the portly Tenor, and directed by The Devil Wears Prada’s David Frankel. Not bad for a former Carphone Warehouse salesman.
9. Simon Cowell
Famous for his bitchy comments, queeny demands, booster seat, and high-waisted fashion sense, Mr Cowell has been sorely missed from The X Factor panel since he left the show in 2010. But the King of TV Talent has yet to miss a series of BGT having been prepared to push his red button, squabble with fellow judges, and brush off the advances of David Walliams. Got Talent is worth tuning in for Si alone.
8. Diversity
Winners of the third series, Diversity, wowed the nation with dare-devil dance moves to bleeping backing music. The eight strong team have appeared in UK Step-Up-wannabe-movie StreetDance 3D (which performed surprisingly well at the Box Office), were official torch bearers for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, and dishy group leader, Ashley Banjo, went on to share his talents as a judge on Sky One’s Got To Dance.
7. Stavros Flatley
In contrast to the serious/professional dancers that BGT uncovers each year, the 2009 entrant’s Stavros Flatley injected comedy with their hilarious dance routines. The father/son combination demonstrated Greece has Got Talent as well as lampooning Greek and Irish dance in their light footed double act.
6. Knife Edge!
One of the most nail biting auditions ever was in 2009 when 62 year old Mike Henderson balanced precariously over a knife doing a handstand, and picked up the sharp object with his teeth. Simon Cowell watched, wincing in his seat, and Amanda Holden was so freaked out when the OAP lunged to grab the knife that she dashed into the audience to cower from the stunt. Whilst most talent shows hike up the tension by playing emotional music whilst contestants wait to hear if they’re through to the next round, BGT has you wondering if you might actually witness someone dying live on stage. Edge of your seat stuff.
5. Kelly Brook
Beauty’s Got Talent as Kelly Brook joined the team in 2009 as a judge. She gave the panel some much needed sex appeal (Simon and Piers Morgan are hardly hot, and Amanda is a bit over the hill) and was excellent when it came to talking to cute ballerinas or finding the funny side to less impressive contestants. But jealous presenters Ant and Dec allegedly didn’t like Kelly having the limelight and campaigned for her to be kicked off the show after mere days of filming (Boo!). Bad show, boys.
4. Alesha Dixon
She’s no Kelly Brook. And is she even really that talented? But Alesha Dixon was added to the judging line-up in 2012 to add a bit of razzle dazzle. Ultimately, however, this was really an attack tactic by Simon Cowell to poach Ms Dixon from rival TV show, Strictly Come Dancing, that had beaten his other show, The X Factor, in the ratings war. But SCD and BGT are on at different times of the year, so it’s not exactly his best move.
3. David Walliams
Also joining the panel in 2012 was comedy genius, David Walliams. After a disappointing turn by Michael McIntyre in 2011 (Is he a comedian if he isn’t actually funny?), Cowell didn’t give up his idea of adding a comic smarty pants to his judges and Walliams has proved a hugely entertaining addition. His lack of shame and willingness to get on stage with the contestants has been a masterstroke in making the show even more enjoyable. Not to mention his flirtatious banter with Mr Meanie Simon Cowell. Comedy gold.
2. The 2012 trailer
With his most successful line up to date, Simon Cowell didn’t hold back on promoting the show last year, and the 2012 trailer was the most hilarious. With Alesha Dixon in a club, David Walliams on a period drama set, Amanda Holden on the West End, and Simon in his Hollywood lair, the team were summoned via telephone by HRH The Queen herself as they expressed their allegiance to the monarch and the need to find new talent for the Royal Variety Show in a brilliant one minute clip.
1. Susan Boyle
Series three really put Britain’s Got Talent on the map with the emergence of Susan Boyle. Scruffy, a bit nutty, and completely non-descript before she took to the stage, she literally had the world in awe when she performed the Les Mis classic, I Dreamed A Dream during her first audition. The nation went bonkers for Su Bo and social networks revealed she had instant fame – with Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher (pre divorce) voicing their backing on Twitter. Susan has arguably gone on to be Simon’s most successful export to date having released three number one albums, featured in magazines including Vanity Fair, and has been one of the most low cost acts he’s ever had to look for. And her audition itself shows the true impact of Britain’s Got Talent as her underdog audition has gone down in TV legend. What talent’s will the team uncover this year?