The Britain’s Got Talent 2018 auditions welcomed an electric violinist, a Rubik’s cube-solving magician and a Disney tribute act in week five – as Alesha Dixon picked her Golden Buzzer act.
There were plenty of surprises for Alesha and fellow judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and David Walliams on the ITV talent contest tonight.
An 82-year-old retiree shocked them with a Stormzy cover, while one hopeful sold them on throat singing by setting it to an EDM beat.
The foursome even got to relieve their stress when a Greek bouzouki player invited them on stage to smash plates.
Among the mayhem, Alesha hit the Golden Buzzer for a familiar garage music singer looking for another shot at success.
Find out all the results from the latest episode in our rundown below!
The Yesses
Barry Newton (4 yesses) – Stormzy is perhaps the last artist you’d expect a retired 82-year-old and former parliamentary candidate to listen to. However, Barry proved he was down with the kids when he rapped the grime artist’s hit ‘Shut Up’ – complete with profanities. “Not the sort of language you’d expect the royal family to enjoy,” smirked David. “I wrote a book called Gangster Granny – you are Gangster Grandad!”
Nino Nikolov (4 yesses) – Electric violin player Nino decided to enter Britain’s Got Talent after Tokio Myers won last year’s series with his unique fusion of modern and classical music. The Essex club performer had the crowd up clapping along as he played an upbeat version of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape Of You’. “You must have been fiddling for years to be that good,” joked David. “It was a really amazing audition, I think it’s absolutely the right time for an act like this as well,” reviewed Simon.
Maddox (4 yesses) – Maddox says was “late to the magic game”, having only been a full-time magician for a year. Thrilled to be entertaining such a big audience, he stunned the judges with a supposedly Rubik’s cube that seemed to be capable of solving itself. He concluded by inviting Amanda on stage, and somehow getting her to solve the cube behind her back. She called the trick “absolutely extraordinary”. Alesha said it was “perfect from start to finish”, adding: “You absolutely nailed it.”
Cartoon Heroes (4 yesses) – They may be no more than ten years old, but Cartoon Heroes had tons of confidence, proclaiming: “We wanna show everybody how amazing we are, and we’re gonna win!” The eight-strong dance troupe charmed the room with a routine to the Aqua hit they’re presumably named after. “I love you, I love you, I love you! The gymnastics and the music were brilliant, and you’re all so cute!” cooed Amanda. “I love the concept, your identities really shone through,” noted David.
Ella Yard (4 yesses) – At 15 years old, Ella is still a schoolkid, but her heart is in singing. “I have to start from somewhere, and this is an amazing place to start at,” she said. Making her first big splash with her BGT try-out, she covered Joss Stone’s version of ‘God Only Knows’. “I just found that absolutely mesmerizing, and it was magical,” commented Amanda. “I think you’ve been very smart on your song choice,” added Simon. “You’ve gotta make songs your own. You’ve got a great presence.”
Olena UUTAi (4 yesses) – Throat singers haven’t exactly been doing well on the show so far, but the tide finally turned for Olena. The Russian, who entered the show to share her culture, got the crowd on her side with the help of a khomus, some animal noises and a thumping EDM backing track. “I absolutely love you, you’re other-worldly. You’re like a stallion goddess!” exclaimed Alesha. “It’s like you’ve come from outer space or the heavens, it was magical,” added David.
Miss Tres (4 yesses) – Transgender singing trio Mavey, Mariko and Crissy came all the way from the Philippines to BGT, hoping the show will turn them in to the next Destiny’s Child. Their voices certainly took the judges by surprise during their performance of Tom Jones hit ‘Sex Bomb’. “Were you hiding a little secret from us at the beginning?!” teased Simon. “Your voices were fantastic, you look amazing, you’re just so hot! It’s so unfair!” exclaimed Amanda.
Bambas (4 yesses) – If there’s any talents missing from this year’s series, the chances are Bambas could give them a go. The ice-cream man was joined by his son George for an all-singing, all-dancing, balancing-act extravaganza. Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot encouraged the judges to go on stage and smash plates as he played his bouzouki. “I don’t quite know what happened. It was great, it was fun, it was stupid, I loved it,” said an exasperated Simon. “It’s perfect for this show, it’s different, it’s a bit of fun,” added Alesha.
Ronan Busfield (4 yesses) – Ronan “fell out of love” with music five years ago – but his suppressed passion has been “building and building” ever since. When it finally erupted on to the BGT stage, he looked like a deer caught in headlights. Thankfully, the Tesco staffer came alive during his rendition of ‘Maria’ from West Side Story, earning a standing ovation. “That was amazing, beautiful song, it really resonated. You are a wonder,” grinned David. “I didn’t expect this to come from you. It was passionate, believable,” praised Simon.
The Nos
Katherine and Joe (2 yesses, 2 nos) – Inspired by their fairytale romance, married couple Katherine and Joe became a Disney tribute act. Dressed as Beauty and the Beast, they sang ‘Something There’ from the classic film’s soundtrack. Unfortunately, their audition was both beautiful and beastly.
While Katherine seemed to impress with her singing, Simon and Alesha buzzed as soon as Joe’s part began. “Your voice is actually quite pleasant, I just wondered if you’ve ever thought about going on your own,” said Alesha, addressing Katherine. “I think with an act like this, you have to suspend your disbelief. I’m finding it difficult,” sighed Simon. A divided panel meant they went home without making the live show shortlist.
The Golden Buzzer
Lifford Shillingford (Alesha’s Golden Buzzer) – Lifford has already had a taste of fame: in 2000, he was the vocalist on Artful Dodger’s number 4 hit, ‘Please Don’t Turn Me On’. However, his success was short-lived, as he sadly faced a battle with anxiety and depression. Now, aged 42, Lifford is hoping for redemption. “I want to prove to myself that I have something to offer,” he said. “Throw caution to the wind and see what happens!”
Lifford was recognised by Alesha, whose career also started in the early noughties. “We were on the circuit together,” he admitted. The connection served Lifford well; following his barnstorming performance of Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, Alesha opted to hit the Golden Buzzer. Calling his song choice “very brave”, she said: “I feel like it takes courage and bravery when you’ve been in this industry and it knocks you down. For you to be on that stage, singing raw, heart and soul… you deserve this moment.”
Therefore, Lifford is now guaranteed a place in the live semi-finals, alongside Marc Spelmann, Tim and Jack and Donchez Dacres.
Support your favourite act from this week by voting for them in our poll below!
Britain’s Got Talent 2018 continues next Saturday at 8.00pm on ITV with more auditions.
Stephen Mulhern hosts spin-off Britain’s Got More Talent on ITV2 immediately after the main show.
The Britain’s Got Talent live shows are due to begin later this month.
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