Colin Thackery: ‘I’d love to find a special lady’
Britain’s Got Talent winner Colin Thackery talks fame at 89, being a foodie, and finding love again…
He only took part for ‘a dare’, but viewers fell in love with Chelsea pensioner Colin Thackery back in June, when he won Britain’s GotTalent by sending a collective lump to our throats as he sang Love ChangesEverything. Colin served in the 45th regiment of the Royal Artillery in the Korean War, and met his wife of 66 years, Joan, at a camp dance. Fastforward to the present day, and he’s now a star. Sadly, Joan died in 2016, never witnessing her husband’s meteoric rise to fame. Despite his sadness, Colin is embracing the limelight with a twinkle in his eye – and confesses that he’d like to meet a lady to share it with. Now wouldn’t that be lovely…?
Colin, congrats on the debut album, Love Changes Everything. Tell us more…
It’s a real mix of old favourites, new songs and sentimental ballads. Love Changes Everything is on there, plus a couple of war-time numbers that everyone expects. But nobody would think that a man of my age would sing a modern song such as Ed Sheeran’s Supermarket Flowers. I thought, ‘ What a lovely tune, I must sing it on the live ( BGT) shows’. So I wanted to include that one on the album…
It also has What The World Needs Now. How do you feel about the world right now?
Very sad that people are still so unhappy. I believe completely in freedom of speech – that’s what we fought for. But, despite all the wars we’ve had, the tens of thousands of people killed, protests and arguments are going on all the time. I still feel haunted by my experiences of war. Having experienced it first-hand, I feel strongly that it’s a disgusting thing. I pray none of my kids or grandkids will ever have to go through it.
From The Time You Say Goodbye is a duet with Vera Lynn – did you meet?
Not that time, but I hope to meet her soon. I knew the song vaguely from years ago, but listening to it again, I really fell in love with it. A bassline was added under
Vera’s voice for me to sing along to in the studio. If Vera’s up for it, I’d love to sing a tune with her. Imagine what stories we could share…
You must brush shoulders with lots of celebs. Have you ever been star-struck?
Yes, by opera singer Katherine Jenkins. She has asked me to sing with her at the Royal Albert Hall – that really is the cream on the cake. Not only is she a wonderful singer, she’s a beautiful girl. When she said she wanted to sing with me, I simply said, ‘Likewise.’ Somehow, she stands out.
Do you get ‘pinch-me’ moments, as your life has changed so dramatically?
All the time. Winning BGT, the album, the book deal… And not just meeting celebrities, but members of the public coming up to me. At the hospital we get a busload of visitors every day, and they say, ‘Can we see Colin today?’ It’s very flattering. I’m taking my daughter to dinner tonight, and someone will, no doubt, be asking me for a selfie – it’s lovely.
You’re singing at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen, hopefully – how important is that?
That will be a biggie. I’ve always said I served her for 25 years – I was 15 when I joined the army, and the fact that she’d be there to watch me sing will be so special. I could die happy. I’ve met Prince Harry – he was lovely and a natural. He’s very popular at the hospital, because he was a soldier.
You’re so full of life, at 89. What keeps you going?
I enjoy a laugh, and do things that keep me feeling alive. Music, obviously, is one of the most important. I love all the big singers, such as Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion – all the ladies! Oh and a bit of Michael Bublé. I don’t watch a lot of telly, but when I do, I enjoy a good crime thriller.
Is it true you’re a big fan of the full English breakfast?
Ha ha, I am indeed. I like oriental food, too – I’m a bit of a foodie. I enjoy taking my daughter and granddaughters out to dinner – it’s one of my favourite things. My son lives in Surrey, so when he comes to London we go to a lovely Italian near the hospital.
What plans do you have for Christmas?
We’re very traditional in our family – we’ll all be together on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I wish I could walk like I used to, as a festive stroll on Christmas Day would be my favourite thing, but at least now I can sit in the pub, relax and wait for the family to get back from theirs! Colin Thackery’s debut album, Love Changes Everything, is out on 6 December on Decca Records, in partnership with Syco.