BGT finalist Vinnie McKee says his late brother will be with him in spirit when he takes to the stage tonight

Daily Record

31-05-2025

The singer also reveals his joy at being asked to perform at this year's Pride of Scotland Awards
HOLIDAY park bingo caller Vinnie McKee is one song away from being crowned the winner of this year's Britain's Got Talent.
The 29-year-old from Glasgow's Ruchazie is hoping Scotland will get behind him when he takes to the stage in tonight's live final.
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And as he sings for the win Vinnie says his late brother Frankie, who passed away suddenly last year from a suspected irregular heartbeat will be there in spirit cheering him on.
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The caravan park entertainer, whose version of Proclaimers' hit 'I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) bagged him Simon Cowell's golden buzzer in his audition said: 'When I step on stage tonight my brother will be there with me and I will 100 per cent be singing for him.
'I felt Frankie beside me when I sang in the live semi-final. I spoke to him before I went on saying he better be on stage waiting for me as I could not walk out there myself and he was.
'Losing him has been devastating for my whole family. Last year was the worst time of our lives but BGT has given us all something to be excited about. It's been a bit of light at the end of a very long tunnel.
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Vinnie, who stormed into the final after winning the public vote in the semis, added: 'When I sang 500 Miles in my audition it was an ode to my brother and everything that has happened to our family.
'I didn't say that out loud at the time but I think everyone could feel and hear the emotion in my voice as I sang the words.
'My mum, dad, sister, aunt and uncle will all be in the audience tonight and Frankie will be with me on stage cheering me on. I want to make him, my family and Scotland proud.'
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Vinnie, who is set to perform at this year's Pride of Scotland Awards, will be joined in the final by LED dance crew The Blackouts, 11-year-old guitar prodigy Olly Pearson, ping pong dancing troupe Ping Pong Pang and comedian Joseph Charm.
Singers Maya Giotea and Stacey Leadbeatter, the Hear Our Voice choir, nine-year-old gymnast Binita Chetry and drag queen singer Jasmine Rice are also in the race for the talent show crown.
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Although judges Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell will be giving their opinion on each act, who wins will all come down to the public vote and Vinnie hopes Scotland will get behind him.
If he is victorious the soulful singer will be the second Scot to win the hit ITV show - following in the footsteps of Jai McDowell who took top spot in 2011.
Vinnie, whose semi final cover of Snow Patrol hit Chasing Cars wowed viewers, said: 'I am so proud to be flying the flag for Scotland and it would be amazing if the nation got behind me tonight and voted.
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'I feel like I have already won as reaching a final is a huge achievement for a wee boy from the East End of Glasgow.'
Vinnie admits his BGT journey is a world away from his day job at Thurston Manor holiday park near Edinburgh, where he runs kids' clubs and does the bingo calling and he's loving every minute.
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The performer, who would buy a retirement home for his parents Ann and Joe with the £250,000 prize money, said: 'When I started in the holiday parks, I really loved it. My dream was to be this singer who performs for people and gets them to listen to my own music, but the dream got further away over the years but now thanks to BGT is back and I'm living it.
'This is the biggest thing I have ever done and I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure it is really happening. I'm used to singing in front of a room full of families in a caravan park and now I'm singing live in front of millions.
'After my audition the clip went viral on YouTube and the most crazy part was that I overtook Lady Gaga and Beyoncé on the trending list. A few celebrities have also been posting me on their social media too. It's just crazy.'
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The former St Andrews RC Secondary School pupil added: 'I went into my old high school last week and was able to tell the kids that no matter where they come from or what their background is they should never let go of their dreams because just look at me.
'I would never have imagined my dreams would have come true the way they have and hopefully it's only the beginning.
'It has inspired me to just go for it and make singing my full-time job. If I could do this every day for the rest of my life I would never retire. It's my passion and my dream.'
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Vinnie, who is planning to get into a studio soon and record some songs, says he will be forever indebted to Simon Cowell.
The singer, who would love to do a collaboration with the Proclaimers, said: 'I'm chuffed to be Simon's first ever Scottish golden buzzer. I couldn't believe it when he pushed it and the confetti started raining down. He told me it was the best rendition of 500 Miles he had ever heard.
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'During the audition I was trying not to look at the audience but I caught Simon's eye at one point and he was smiling. He was so lovely to me afterwards too.
'When I was standing on the stage in the semi-final and my VT was playing I looked down at the judges and Simon smiled at me and said, 'You've got this.' He also gave me the thumbs up.
'Knowing that he was rooting for me meant so much and I want to continue to make him proud as he took a chance on me and gave me the golden buzzer.'
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He added: 'I'm ready to give the performance of my life tonight so keep everything crossed for me. Bring it on! I've never been so prepared and I'm raring to go.
'I can't reveal what song I will be singing in the final but it's my twist on a classic by a well known band and I think folk should have their tissues at the ready.'
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Vinnie says he is also excited about performing at the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with P&O Cruises on June 23.
He said: 'I am over the moon and thrilled to have been asked to sing at the Awards and celebrate the nation's unsung heroes. Knowing that I will also be performing in front of some of the biggest names in Scotland is just unreal.
'It will be my first performance back home after appearing in the BGT final and I will be singing the Proclaimers' classic that kicked it all off so it's going to be extra special. I can't wait.'
- The Britain's Got Talent live final will be on ITV1 and ITVX tonight at 7pm