BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT STAR ON JUDGING DUTIES Knowing one moment could change a life ..it’s magical
– ALESHA DIXON
SITTING serenely behind the judges’ desk, Alesha Dixon is usually the embodiment of cool, calm and collected. But the huge effects of her decisions on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent can often churn her emotions.
Remembering last week’s audition by choir Ravi’s Dream Team, she says: “When I saw little Ravi and I heard his story and I got to see his parents, his sister and the whole community of people around him – and the reason that they were there – it just got to me.
“I just sat there and I thought, ‘This is what it’s all about’.”
So she pushed her Golden Buzzer to send them through.
Alesha, 45, adds: “For the most part, I do like to sit and be quite composed, even if I am feeling emotional.
“But I think it was just one of those human moments. I just couldn’t hold it back because I felt so moved by the strength of this little boy.
“I get such a thrill from seeing people have a moment, and knowing that it could change their life is really magical.”
The moment was even more emotional for Mirror readers, who will remember eight-year-old Ravi Adelekan from his 2023 Pride Of Britain award.
Alesha adds of the brain tumour sufferer: “I was sitting there thinking about how I would feel if that was my child. Then having the strength to actually get on stage and talk about it.
“I would be in pieces and I just felt for his parents. I looked in their eyes and his sister was adorable and it got me, it really got me.
“I thought, ‘Yeah, this is the act that deserves a moment in the live shows to raise some more awareness for the incredible work that he’s doing’.
“He’s a little fighter and people like that deserve a spotlight.”
As BGT starts its 17th season, Alesha is back on the judging panel alongside close friend Amanda Holden, Bruno Tonioli and Simon Cowell.
This week acts taking part include security guard and youth worker Harrison Pettman singing his heart out, and plumber Darren Watson, 47, with his one-liner comedy. Mysterious
I completely am sitting in the space of gratitude and awareness
ALESHA DIXON ON HER PRIVILEGED POSITION
character The Dark Hero is also among the hopefuls hanging on the words of Alesha and the other judges.
Alesha says of her position of responsibility: “It’s not wasted on me.
“I completely am sitting in the space of gratitude and awareness.
“But we can’t take the credit for somebody’s success. It’s all down to the act and their own talent, as they have put the work in. We are there to shine a light and hopefully give them a nudge into what is already going to be a successful journey.
“Sometimes people come on our show, and others around the world, and it doesn’t work out for them but they dust themselves off and keep fighting.”
The former Misteeq singer adds of making it big in entertainment: “There’s no one-sizefits-all and you just have to keep trying. It’s about perseverance.”
This series the four judges will have some competition too. In a future episode, viewers will see their children join them, including Eric Cowell and Amanda’s daughter Hollie.
The scenes also include five-yearold Anaya, one of Alesha’s two daughters with 43-year-old partner Azuka
Ononye.
The family also includes
Azura, 10.
Alesha says: “It was a nice moment.
Both of them have been in my tummy while I’ve sat at that panel judging... a sweet full-circle moment.
“But the whole time I was thinking that Anaya was going to press the red buzzer, just because she’s actually
quite mischievous and cheeky. She would find that hilarious. “Thankfully, she was more interested in making notes. We keep making this joke about training our children to take over from us one day.” Alesha thinks you need one of two things to be a BGT winner.
She says: “It’s either bringing [the
viewers] joy and making them laugh and lifting their spirits, or it’s emoting and connecting with them on a deeper level, where they fall in love with you, and you win their hearts.”
■ Britain’s Got Talent continues this weekend on ITV and ITVX from tonight at 7.30pm.