‘This is as good as it gets!’
Celeb insider Tony Cowell chats to the BGT singer who has us in tears of laughter and sadness…
Comedy singer Jon Courtenay had Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon sobbing in the BGT semi-finals with his song, a tribute to his late dad. The pianist and former cruise ship performer, 46, received Ant and Dec’s Golden Buzzer in his first audition, after making mischievous jokes at the expense of Simon Cowell and David Walliams. Jon tells best how emotional he became after first stepping on to the stage at the London Palladium – a theatre his late father used to love.
You managed to reduce the judges to tears and laughter in your very first audition...
I did, but I didn’t mean to write the song and expect it to get such an emotional response. When I watched it back I suddenly saw the camera zoom in on my two boys (Alfie, nine, and Nathan, 15) in the audience and then I got really emotional.
Your act is so different – I definitely approve of your Simon jokes…
I had to do it. Everyone does it, but very few have ever done it in a song – so I think that’s why I got away with it. It turns out he is a pussycat – a real lovely man who came on stage at the end and hugged me.
Your semi-final song referenced your mum and late dad – were they together as an act?
They were never professional and never got a break, but they used to do amateur dramatics and perform old music hall songs together. They were amazing but I was sad they never got to be professional. My dad passed away on Boxing Day 2014.
Was it your mum who told you never to give up?
It was, yes. Mum is always cheering me on – and of course, watches me on BGT. My dad never really gave me the encouragement to succeed – he only once told me he was very proud of me.
It was Ant and Dec who gave you their Golden Buzzer – how did that feel?!
I just didn’t believe it when I saw them come running out of the wings, down the steps and pressed that buzzer. I just stood there thinking, ‘ Well, this is as good as it gets.’ I’m standing on the stage at the London Palladium, which my dad loved, getting a standing ovation from the audience and all four judges. If I go no further in this show, that will be the pinnacle of my career.
What happens if you go on to win the show?
The money alone would mean we can keep our house. The thing is, I have already been offered the chance to take my oneman show on a tour next year – so in a way, I have already won.