6 days ago
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Paul Potts' life now after BGT win 18 years ago as he calls for show shake-up
Paul Potts' life now after BGT win 18 years ago as he calls for show shake-up
EXCLUSIVE: Paul Potts was crowned Britain's Got Talent's first ever winner back in 2007 after impressing Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan with his vocals
Paul Potts won Britain's Got Talent in 2007
Eighteen years ago, mobile phone salesman Paul Potts took a life-changing leap of faith when he auditioned for Britain's Got Talent and astonished the nation.
Taking to the stage in a suit and shirt at the time, he belted out his rendition of Nessun Dorma and left the three judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Piers Morgan speechless.
During the feedback, Simon said Paul was "a complete breath of fresh air" and called the operatic number "absolutely fantastic".
Piers confidently predicted a potential win for the tenor, while Amanda affectionately referred to him as "a little lump of coal that is going to turn into a diamond".
Paul later became the ITV competition's first ever winner, after securing the highest public vote over his fellow finalist Connie Talbot.
Since his victory on the show, the 54-year-old has gone from strength to strength in his singing career.
His first album, One Chance, soared to the top of the UK charts upon release, and remained there for six consecutive weeks.
His discography expanded over time with the addition of six more studio albums, which includes his latest record, Musica Non Proibita.
Britain's Got Talent winner Paul Potts is still touring across various venues
Paul's incredible journey was later turned into a movie named after his first album, which starred James Corden.
The winner has since toured in various venues across the world, and will be making a return to the stage for a number of gigs in Germany this year.
According to Paul, he is "singing better" now than he did during his initial rise to stardom.
In a collaboration with Sky Vegas, he expressed: "I'm now doing what I love to do all over the world – and it's been 18 years.
"In two years, it'll be 20. I still remember critics saying my voice wouldn't last a year, yet I honestly believe I'm singing better now than I ever have.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the support I've had from people around the world throughout these years, and I allow myself a little pride in that."
In 2019, Paul made a triumphant return to the stage on Britain's Got Talent: The Champions.
His vocal performance once again wowed judges and audiences alike, though Simon claimed it was "shaky" at first.
Despite giving it his all, he did not progress to the final, with the spot going to daredevil duo Bello and Annaliese Nock instead. At the time, Kseniya Simonova was also the recipient of the golden buzzer.
Paul Potts was praised by the BGT judges Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell
Reflecting on this year's Britain's Got Talent competition, Paul discussed his own familiarity with the "pressure" that comes with public voting, especially once the coveted golden buzzer is off the table.
He remarked: "The golden buzzer works, but it has to be used live to keep the energy and excitement.
"Having competed on Britain's Got Talent: The Champions, I know how it feels to perform knowing you can't get that golden buzzer because they're all gone!"
"That adds a real sense of pressure, and it makes the public vote feel even more important. That's the kind of drama we want – positive drama – not the negativity that comes with red buzzers."
Sharing more thoughts on the series this year, Paul said the show could benefit from welcoming KSI back as a fifth judge.
The YouTube star stepped in for Simon and Bruno Tonioli at different stages of the competition, and returned as a guest judge for the semi-final last week.
He shared: 'I think there is certainly a potential for him to return as a permanent judge. I have never heard of him before this year, and I probably don't travel in this circle!
"There should be five judges to even things out and makes things fresh. It also means when there is a jury vote then it'll never be a draw – it has to always go one way or another.'
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Britain's Got Talent: The Final airs tonight at 7pm on ITV and ITVX.
