'It was electrifying': 10 Britain's Got Talent finalists on making to to the end

Metro

4 days ago

From an 11-year-old rocker to the first-ever drag finalist, Britain's Got Talent 2025 is ready to showcase incredible talent on reality TV's biggest stage for the grand finale.
This year's judges – Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, KSI, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon – and the voting public have dished out Golden Buzzers, raucous applause and shed plenty of tears for the 10 acts who have made it to the final live show.
Blood and sweat have gone into weeks of auditions and meticulous preparation, all leading up to this moment.
Now we're finally here, as the Britain's Got Talent 2025 finalists – with the exception of a potential wildcard, who's expected to be revealed during Saturday night's final – tell Metro what it means to make it this far.
Our first lot of finalists are made up of groups The Blackouts, Ping Pong Pang and Hear Our Voice, as well as drag queen Jasmine Rice, and singers Vinnie McKee and Stacey Leadbetter.
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They're joined by guitarist Olly Pearson, dancer Binita Chetry, magician Harry Moulding and comedian Joseph Charm, as each of the 10 finalists vie for the chance to win £250,000 and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance.
Here's what they all had to say about competing in the Britain's Got Talent final when they spoke to Metro ahead of Saturday night's big show.
New York-based drag artist Jasmine landed a coveted Golden Buzzer at the live semi-finals, which she described as an 'electrifying' moment.
'I went numb. I am kind of still in shock. The only word that I could use to describe that feeling is just 'bright',' she said.
As an opera singer looking for her 'last chance' to make a mark on the industry, Britain's Got Talent has come at the perfect time to bolster her hopes of a flourishing career.
And as the first ever drag queen to make it to the final, she doesn't underestimate the importance of this moment.
'I feel a heavy responsibility to really bring on the fabulosity and show what a real queen is like on stage,' the drag queen reflected.
She added: 'It is just so special and so heartwarming. Especially in the US, I think it's a little bit more intense than the UK. When everyone just opens up their arms and says, 'You are here. We see you. Your existence is valid, and we appreciate you', it feels incredible.
'I think to show that on one of the biggest platforms in the world – love is empathy, tolerance and what music does for people and that we are all connected – it's really amazing.'
Jasmine is certainly not the only person platforming a powerful social message at this year's competition.
In fact, fellow finalists Hear Our Voice have received overwhelming public support as a choir made up of those impacted by the Post Office scandal.
'It's the best. Lots of us spent years not being believed, or feeling we had the world against us. It's so good to have the wave of public support behind us,' one of the group's members, Tim Bretnall, shared, adding they 'never dreamed we'd get this far'.
They all shared a joyous moment together after discovering they had made it through.
'We were all gathered round the piano in the hotel, we might have got a little bit loud (sorry to anyone that we disturbed) but it was such a beautiful moment, singing our hearts out to each other in that moment of joy,' a singer in the group said.
Britain's Got Talent is known for sharing incredibly moving backstories for the contestants, and that couldn't be more true for bingo caller-turned-stage singer Vinnie McKee, who wowed with his performance of The Proclaimers' song I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).
Vinnie was motivated to sign up in honour of his late brother and is filled with gratitude for how much this experience has changed his life.
He explained: 'It was something that he always told me to do. And when I went on, I thought the words of the song really resonated with everything that we were all going through as a family as well.
'This has been a turning point for us as a family and for myself, because I thought this could be my last chance to prove myself, and I've worked so hard for it. It feels like a light at the end of a really dark tunnel.'
Social media comedian turned Hammersmith Apollo stand-up Joseph Charm had his own reasons for getting emotional during his latest Britain's Got Talent performance when his mother was brought on stage to help push the Golden Buzzer.
'Genuinely, there's no one that deserves more in the world than that woman,'Joseph said of his mum.
'She's done so much to build up a life for us. She said to me if she passes away then just know that she would be happy.
'Just knowing what she's been through and experienced in life to give her that moment is magical. I've already won, to be honest with you,' he shared.
Joseph is heading into the final with an optimistic ethos, explaining that he's 'had a lot of trolls' to deal with in the lead-up.
'I've had people who have been really upset and angry with the decision and [to that I say] they're okay to not necessarily rock with my humour. The most important thing is to just go out there and do what I do best, try my hardest to put a smile on people's faces.'
There's been plenty of magical moments throughout this season – not least created by Blackpool magician Harry Moulding, who left the audience spellbound by ending his live show with a proposal between audience members Harry and Jess.
The performer, who has been watching the show since he was seven, has truly made some lifetime memories after such a moving display – and takes the risk of something going wrong in his stride.
'[The engaged couple] were just absolutely over the moon, majorly buzzing. Couldn't really believe what was happening. I was chatting to them yesterday [and] they've sent me an invite for the wedding, which is amazing news.
'With magic there's so many things that can go wrong. Especially doing it live on that scale. For me that all plays a big part in it.
'[It] creates fun for me as a performer knowing that if one small element of this doesn't exactly go to plan then the whole payoff will be ruined.'
No one understands the risks of live performances better than Italian group Ping Pong Pang, whose entire ping-pong-themed act relies on immense coordination.
'Our performances demand hours of practice and intense focus. One split second of distraction, and the ball doesn't go where it's supposed to,' member Patrizio Ratto explained.
'When we're on stage, we imagine it's just us, the ball, and the racket, and we try to stay 100% focused. But we're only human, so mistakes do happen. When they do, we always try to smile and keep going – that's part of the game.'
The group, who pride themselves on being 'authentic and original' previously appeared in Italy's Got Talent but were ready to test their skill on an international stage.
'Britain's Got Talent was a leap into the unknown: we wanted to challenge ourselves beyond Italy's borders and see if our kind of craziness could resonate with an international audience. The response we received was absolutely amazing!' Rachel Ratto added.
The LED light performance group from Switzerland, The Blackouts, are ready to bring their all for an awe-inspiring experience in the final.
'We're always going bigger, faster, better. We have a pile of ideas that we have had over the years, and now we are finally ready to give them a go, and we're very excited. There's a lot of surprises, of course, and new stuff that we're building for the show,' The Blackouts' Rafael shared.
As former Switzerland's Got Talent and Germany's Got Talent contestants, now felt like the perfect time to bring all they have learnt to the Britain's Got Talent stage.
'It took a lot of years until we had all the technical things ready. Now it feels like this is the moment where we have a really great team. It's like a family. Now is our time,' Elias said.
Superstore cafeworker and powerhouse vocalist Stacey Leadbeatter had to battle a nearly show-ending sore throat and push back against online trolls earlier in the series.
Looking back on her journey, she has nothing but gratitude for those who have stood by her.
'[I just thought] it's now or never. And obviously I just pushed loads of antibiotics. I just had to get myself sorted, religiously taking different sprays and lemon teas and stuff to try and soothe it a bit,' she said about her strategy to make it through the semi-final.
In a message to her fans, she added: 'Obviously some of the comments were really hurtful and that was affecting me.
'Then, seeing all of the support and everyone backing me up, it was nice. It gave me that boost again from feeling low, because the comments I was receiving did take its toll on me at the time, and it managed to bring me out of it again.'
Britain's Got Talent has been a life-changing experience for the contestants, especially for the younger finalists.
Olly Pearson, 11, has wowed judges with his rock guitar skills playing Queen, AC/DC and Bon Jovi to name a few – with 'epic rock songs that everyone can play air guitar to' in the works for the finale.
With ambitions to start his own band in the future, he is honoured to be inspiring other kids to pick up their instruments.
'Some kids have said they saw me on Britain's Got Talent and have started to play an instrument,' he shared.
'That is the best compliment someone could give – inspiring others. I think every kid should have the opportunity to play an instrument. Music makes everyone happy.'
Elsewhere, dancer and gymnast Binita Chetry, 9, from Assam shared: 'I feel so strong and amazing. I'm so proud of myself. After being on the show I have learned nothing is too big or small, everything depends on your confidence.'
The performer from Northeast India wowed judges with her acrobatic skills and was voted through to the final by the public. More Trending
She has promised her finale performance will be '10 times stronger' than her last ones with hopes of 'performing around the world' one day.
Former contestants like last year's winner, Sydnie Christmas, have inundated the finalists with heartwarming support and advice as they all prepare for life post-BGT.
From grand ambitions to perform in Las Vegas or around the world to duetting with Susan Boyle and Celine Dion to just seeing where the future takes them – it looks as though they are all ready for whatever comes their way.
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Britain's Got Talent airs the finals on ITV on Saturday, May 31 at 7pm.
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