Britain's Got Talent star's dream 'hangs in the balance' after Teddy Magic pulls out
Semi-finalist fighting to get well for tomorrow night's show - as she admits 'I'm a bit concerned'
Britain's Got Talent golden buzzer Stacey Leadbeatter says it's been touch and go whether she'd make it on stage tomorrow night after losing her voice. The singer was diagnosed with strep throat this week and is currently on antibiotics in a bid to get well for the live semi-finals.
It comes after another hopeful, Teddy Magic, didn't appear in his scheduled slot last week. But determined Stacey, 29, says she won't let her ill health get in the way of her BGT dreams - as she vows to give it all on the Wembley Arena stage. 'My voice is only just coming back,' she revealed.
'I am still actually on antibiotics. I haven't been able to sing properly. I have been a bit concerned about this weekend but, hopefully, I'll be able to do it.'
Supermarket worker Stacey wowed the judges and audience alike with her first audition of the Leona Lewis version of Snow Patrol's Run. Since then she's been overwhelmed by messages of support from new fans - and says that's what's helped her get through her recent ill health.
'It's got me quite emotional, actually,' she explained. 'There's a lady that's told me she had a stroke and that listening to me helped her. And then there's a guy called Daniel, he rang the bell because he's been fighting cancer. He told me that I gave him strength. I'm doing it for them. It's built up my confidence. I'm like, you know what? People are here for me, and they're here to support me, and they want to listen to me so I can do this for them.'
The mum-of-one, who lives in Keighley, West Yorkshire, is promising a huge performance tonight, with a 'risky' song that she hopes will resonate as it's personal to her. She says she's going to give it her all for her daughter Aaralyn, 10.
'I want to be able to give my daughter the things I couldn't have and just that stability for her,' said Stacey. 'That's my main priority. I just want my daughter to be happy. She loves it. She sings on TikTok live with me now. She's really excited to come to London.'
Tonight she faces judges Simon Cowell, 65, Amanda Holden, 54, Alesha Dixon, 46, and Bruno Tonioli, 69, to fight for a place in the final alongside seven other acts, including young guitarist Olly Pearson and comedian Will Burns. She says she's taken Simon's call for her to be more confident on board - but is less sure about what to do to win Bruno over.
'I'm nervous to sing in front of Bruno because Bruno has actually never heard me!' said Stacey. 'So I really hope he likes me. I remember Simon mentioning that I need some confidence. I hope he sees that.'
Stacey has been working hard with a vocal coach since her first audition and she says she's unlocked her powerhouse voice. 'I've been learning all these new exercises and how to correctly move my mouth and sing in the correct places so then it comes out properly,' she explained. 'I've noticed a huge difference in my voice. I sound a lot better. My voice is more powerful. I'm ready to be on that stage and be confident this time and not a crying mess.'
Stacey admits that nerves and stress had got the better of her in the weeks after her first audition - and caused her stutter, which she's had since a child - to return.
'It was quite difficult,' she said. 'I do remember speaking to someone on the team so say I'm really worried. But I've managed to compose myself. Because it does come out when I'm stressed.'
One person who's helping calm her down is fiance Richard. 'He's the most supportive person I've come across,' she beams. 'He's been there for me when I've cried, when I've been happy, when I've been excited, when I've been scared, nervous.
'He still cries when he watches me perform. I know he's going to cry on Saturday as well. I might give the cameras a heads up so they can catch him on TV crying! He's best thing that's happened to me other than my daughter.'
Enjoying her superstar status and getting recognised everywhere, there's one thing Stacey says she's desperate to make happen.
'The judges haven't started following me on Instagram yet!' she said. 'I'm a bit sad about that.'
Watch Britain's Got Talent tomorrow night at 7pm on ITV.
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