BRITAIN’S GOT TEARS
Children’s choir sets judges sobbing on Ant’s big comeback
IT was billed as the long-awaited reunion of Ant and Dec on our screens.
But in the event, a primary school choir stole the show on the first Britain’s Got Talent episode of 2019.
Judges David Walliams, Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden were left in floods of tears by the youngsters’ exuberant performance of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now. Ant McPartlin, 43, was noticeably emotional next to longtime co-host Declan Donnelly as he made his return after his drink-drive shame. The pair hugged as the children performed, and couldn’t hide their delight at being back together.
However, it was the energetic Flakefleet Children’s Choir in fancy dress who brought the studio audience to their feet – and the judges to tears.
Walliams hit his Golden Buzzer, sending the children straight through to the live semi-finals. He told the children: ‘It was just one of the most joyous things I’ve ever seen. You’ve made all our hearts soar today.’
As the Lancashire school’s head teacher Dave McPartlin – who performed with the choir in a Union Jack onesie – hugged his pupils, Walliams told him: ‘You’re a great teacher. This is your moment.’
Mr McPartlin said: ‘We just can’t believe the response we’ve had. These children have already made memories they will never forget.’
BGT was a hit at home too, getting 7.6million viewers, ITV’s highest of 2019.