I served my queen for years.. now I would like to sing for her

WWII vet Colin, 89, wows on BGT

A SECOND World War hero aged 89 is hoping Britain’s Got Talent will help him realise his dream of singing for the Queen.

Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery got a great reaction as he launched his bid to win the competition and bag a slot at the Royal Variety Show.

And he said of the possibility of taking to the stage for Her Majesty: “I served her for 25 years, I’d love to sing to her. If I did, I would die happy.”

Colin said he was nervous walking out in front of the judges but added: “They were so nice to me. They’re very kind and they treated me very well and put me at ease.

“So I launched straight into my song and I’m very pleased that I got a good result.”

Colin, who moved from Norwich to the

Royal Hospital Chelsea after losing wife of 60 years Joan three years ago, served in the 45th Regiment of the Royal Artillery.

He went to Korea two weeks after his wedding.

He lost some of his hearing in the war but continued to sing. Colin, who has two children and four grandkids, said he nearly died under heavy fire in one attack. He said: “I couldn’t hear for ages afterwards. That must’ve been the start of my deafness.”

Asked what Joan would say of his audition, he joked: “Well, she would be highly critical. “Joan had a good alto voice. We both sang in an operatic society. She’d have been highly critical if I’d done anything wrong.

“She was a typical northern girl, they don’t say a lot but they think a lot. But she’d have been delighted.”

Asked what his family thought of him going on BGT, he said: “I’ve had my granddaughters texting, saying, “Well done, grandad!” They’re all for it.

“I love to sing. The more I can sing, the better. I’m aware that if you don’t use it, you might lose it.” COLIN THACKERY ON SINGING AT AGE OF 89

I love to sing. If you don’t use it, you might lose it