Tony Cowell chats to Honey and Sammy
Essex-born mumand-daughter singing duo Honey and Sammy Harrison brought Britain’sGotTalent judge Amanda Holden to tears recently – so much so, she pressed her Golden Buzzer to put them through to the finals. Sammy – who performed on her 43rd birthday, after Honey, 14, told the judges of her mum’s struggle with cancer – explains how her daughter has helped her through the dark times, and how singing together in the finals later this year will feel like a dream come true…
Your audition was gorgeous. How did you feel when Amanda used her Golden Buzzer?
Shock is the first word that comes to mind! It was so surreal I can’t explain it. It came as such a lovely, unexpected surprise.
What did Amanda say to you on stage, afterwards? HONEY:
She told me that I reminded her of her daughter, Lexi [who turned 14 in January] and that made her connect with us even more, during the song.
You said in your audition that you first started singing together in the car… SAMMY:
Yes, Honey was about two or three years old and she suddenly started joining in the songs I was singing, and I realised she could sing in harmony with me. So that was how it all started. I used to do the same with my dad years ago. When he took me to school, we would always sing together and argue who would do which harmony.
Honey, what did your granddad think about you going on BGT?
He was so proud of me. I think he was very emotional. He doesn’t always give out compliments, but this time, I think he really was impressed that we went on TV to sing.
And Honey, you applied for BGT without telling your mum – why?!
Because I had asked her so many times in the past to do it, and she always said no! I was so desperate to audition, I just went ahead and applied.
When I finally told mum it was happening she just kind of went, ‘Oh, OK then!’
Simon didn’t like your first song and asked to hear a different one. How difficult was that? SAMMY:
Just asking me that sends me straight back to that moment – it was so tough. Simon offered us his dressing room, so we could go and prepare in private. Neither of us knew the song ( Lost Without You by Freya Ridings) So we had to learn it in 15 minutes, which is
to do. I also write my own songs and I would love to hear other artists sing them. I love people like Billie Eilish, Little Mix and Kelly Clarkson. And Harry Styles I love too.
Sammy, it’s been a tough couple of years for you, with your cancer battle. How supportive has Honey been?
She’s been my rock. Sometimes, it was a bit of a blur, as to who was the mum and who was the child. I dealt with it very quietly. I only told immediate family. I didn’t want pity, and I didn’t want to bring others down. There were times when I was very down and crying, and Honey would just put her arms around me and say, ‘Don’t worry, Mum’.
She was just so strong. She helped pull me through.
And how did your school friends react, Honey, when they saw you on the show?
They were all so proud of me and really supportive. It was the best feeling. My phone went nuts on the night our audition went out! I think a lot of my friends couldn’t believe I had kept the whole thing secret for so long. Now, in lockdown, it’s really tough, because I can’t go out and see them. But there has been many a FaceTime call!
What would it mean to you both to win BGT? SAMMY:
Oh, there are no words to describe what it would mean to us! I can’t even think about it. I am a huge fan of the Royal family, so it would be amazing to sing in front of them. Before our audition, I hadn’t sung in front of an audience
for 15 years.
Even if we don’t go any further it will still have been an amazing experience. We are just so grateful to have got this far.
HONEY: