THE LOST VOICE GUY
The BGT champ on his life-changing year
How surprised were you that you won Britain’s Got Talent?
For the first time in my life, I was speechless in every sense! It was a dream come true. It made all the hard work getting that far so worthwhile, and I was so proud of myself.
What’s been your biggest pinchyourself moment so far?
Well, I got invited to Simon Cowell’s summer party, which was very surreal. All these celebrities came over to congratulate me, so that was pretty weird – but very fun! David Walliams came to see my show in Edinburgh, too – that was a pretty big deal for me as well. I don’t usually get nervous, but I definitely felt the nerves when he was in the audience.
What was more nerve-wracking: performing in front of Simon Cowell or the royal family?
It was definitely more nerve-wracking performing in front of Harry and Meghan – Simon is a pussycat compared to the royal family. If Simon doesn’t like you, he just has a buzzer he can press, but if the royal family don’t like you, you’ll end up in the Tower of London. [Laughs.]
What do you want for Christmas?
To be honest, I’m still waiting for my Geordie accent. So, maybe Santa can bring me one of those. I’ve been a really good boy, after all.
Any big hopes for 2019?
Next year will be really exciting for me. I’m going on a nationwide tour, which starts in January, and I’m also writing a book called
I’monly Initfortheparking,
which is out in May. If that wasn’t enough, the second series of my BBC Radio 4 sitcom A isbgioliitnyg to be broadcast next year, too. I just hope that my ipad battery doesn’t run out in between all of that.
‘Simon Cowell is a pussycat compared to the royal family’