Does it always end in tears for BGT kids? With more child finalists than ever, will they be traumatised - or crying all the way to the bank? We asked the little stars of yesteryear
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Carefree: Former BGT contestant Hollie Steel, now 14, pictured outside the famous Sylvia Young drama school, where she is a star pupil
When the live final of Britain’s Got Talent begins tomorrow evening, an estimated 15 million viewers, many of them children, will tune in to see who wins the £250,000 prize and the chance to perform in front of royalty.
But it is the children taking part — a record five acts — who have made the show so compelling. For the first time in the programme’s seven-year history, as many child acts as adult ones have been voted through to the final. Ranging from five to 14, this year’s entrants — who include cerebral palsy sufferer and comedian Jack Carroll, 14 — have sparked a furious debate about the perils of putting youngsters on the stage. So far, Arisxandra Libantino, 11, and one of the members of dance troupe Pre Skool (aged five to eight) have succumbed to tears.
But it was the gulping sobs of Hollie Steel, ten, dressed like a ballerina, who broke down during her semi-final performance in 2009, which are forever imprinted on the psyche of the nation. And it was those images which prompted Sir Bruce Forsyth, who entered showbusiness at the age of 14, to wade into the debate. ‘What I couldn’t get out of my mind was that poor little girl,’ he said last week. ‘She was emotionally drained — it was upsetting television.’
Sir Bruce called for youngsters to be given their own show and excluded from the main programme. Other adults have voiced their concerns too, from MPs and teachers, to stars and parents. The shadow of Lena Zavaroni — a former winner of Opportunity Knocks and the first reality child star to die prematurely at 35 after years spent battling anorexia — has hung over the debate.
But what of Hollie Steel, the sweet-faced singer who memorably asked to sing Edelweiss again after messing it up the first time and was labelled both ‘a brat’ by internet trolls and ‘officially the bravest girl in the world’ by Simon Cowell?
We tracked her down and asked her to give her side of the story gripping the nation. Now four years on, many will be surprised by her conclusions.
Sitting in front of me with a big toothy smile on her face she looks anything but damaged. Aged 14, open and extremely sweet, she is now a star pupil at the famous Sylvia Young drama school.
And far from regretting that appearance on BGT, she says it is the fame the show accorded her which has allowed her to finance herself through drama school.
After her semi-final blip, she went on to give a sterling performance in the final with Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again from Phantom of the Opera and came in sixth behind winners Diversity and runner-up Susan Boyle.
'Officially the bravest girl in the world': Hollie pictured breaking down in tears halfway through her song
So how does she feel about the suggestion children should be banned from the show? ‘Bruce Forsyth should get his facts straight,’ she says. ‘He has made a big deal out of something that was meaningless.
‘I was a perfectionist and I cried because I had got it wrong and wanted to do it again. I was angry with myself for doing it wrong and I stopped singing because I didn’t know at the time that you had to carry on. I wasn’t thinking about the millions watching me.
‘Being on the show never felt like too much pressure; my over-riding memory was of what an exciting time it was. I was only sad when it was over.
‘When I came off stage in the final I was jumping for joy. That’s why it annoys me when people point to me and say children shouldn’t be on BGT. Don’t punish all the other children who want to perform because of my mistake.
‘Being on BGT changed my life for the better. It was through that show I discovered my classical voice — up until then I had only sung pop songs — and now I have the highest child singing range that is known’
Hollie Steel, former Britain's Got Talent contestant
‘I used to be shy but being in front of a huge audience helped me. Before I went on the show I had just done small theatres playing Annie. But at my first audition for the TV show hundreds of people stood up to cheer for me.
‘Being on BGT changed my life for the better. It was through that show I discovered my classical voice — up until then I had only sung pop songs — and now I have the highest child singing range that is known.’
She admits before her semi-final performance she was nervous for the first time in her life. ‘Everyone was pitting me against Susan Boyle and I felt I had something to prove to the girls at school who said I had a rubbish voice. I was offered a counsellor but didn’t really tell anyone how I was feeling. I didn’t want everyone to make a fuss.
‘When I got on stage the nerves kicked in. And when I get nervous I gulp when I sing. I gulped seven times and it ruined the song. Now I know I should have carried on singing but I panicked and burst out crying. I felt like I had ruined everything and I was angry with myself.
‘I wanted to do it again and at first they said I couldn’t. But then they let me; and when I did it was fine. After that I was just focused on the final. We went to Boots and I got Rescue Remedy which is a herbal thing you put on your tongue. When I walked on stage I was nervous, but then I didn’t go wrong and by the chorus I was so into it that when I came off stage I felt empowered. It was really cool.’
'I GOT A RECORD DEAL THROUGH THE SHOW': RONAN PARKE
'I wasn’t expecting such a great reaction': Ronan was the runner-up in Britain’s Got Talent in 2011. Now 14 he is still pursuing a career in music, in between going to school in Norfolk
Ronan was the runner-up in Britain’s Got Talent in 2011 who was often seen crying at the judges comments. Now 14 he is still pursuing a career in music, in between going to school in Norfolk.
He says: ‘I wasn’t expecting such a great reaction from the audience. All the emotions I felt stemmed from the shock of it all. I did get emotional. I think I cried every single time I was on the show.
‘I got a record deal through the show and put out an album which got to number 22. I will have a new single, Move, out in a couple of weeks.
‘I completely disagree that young people should have their own show because that wouldn’t make any difference. The pressure would still be there. I think the show should stay as it is, open to all ages and groups of people. It’s the variety that makes it such a brilliant show and so interesting to watch.’
ANDREW JOHNSTON, WHO IS NOW A BASS BARITONE WITH FANS WORLDWIDE
Signed up: Andrew Johnston, pictured in Britain's Got Talent in 2008, is now a 6ft 4in bass baritone with a following in 60 countries and a record deal with Simon Cowell's Syco label
Andrew was the 13-year-old soprano with Carlisle Cathedral Choir brought up on a housing estate who was bullied because of his love of classical music.
Those bullies might think twice following his success reaching the BGT finals in 2008 and a number four hit with his album One Voice. And the fact he’s now a handsome 6ft 4in jiu jitsu black belt.
Now 18, he appeared at the Proms last year and will do so again this year. Straight after BGT he signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco label in a deal said to be worth £1.5 million.
He is now a bass baritone, with a following in 60 countries.
Since the show Hollie has never been short of work offers. When the programme finished she went into rehearsals for the BGT finalists’ tour. Then she went to Hong Kong, Indonesia and the U.S. She was offered a record deal and released songs on the internet.
She decided to go to Sylvia Young when she was 12 even though it meant leaving her mother and two cats in Accrington, near Manchester, to go and stay with a family friend.
Hollie says: ‘I’m one of the most normal kids here. A lot of them come from very wealthy families.’
‘You would never know she’d had that blip,’ says Sylvia, who has seen stars such as Emma Bunton and Denise Van Outen attend the school. ‘She is confident, down to earth and a thoroughly nice girl.’
Hollie tells me that at first the other pupils in the school didn’t want her there. ‘They thought I’d be big-headed until they met me.’ Now she has lots of friends, including fellow BGT alumni Molly Rainford, who was a finalist last year, and Sally Lax, who appeared with her grandfather in 2009.
Touchingly, she admits she and her gang are known as ‘the outcasts’ because they are more innocent than some of their friends; they are not into boys and make-up like some of their class.
SHAHEEN JAFARGHOLI: 'MY ATTITUDE TO BGT WAS TO ENJOY IT'
'It was the best experience': Shaheen was 12 when he came seventh in the BGT final. His Michael Jackson cover led to him attending the star's memorial in LA. Now 16 and finishing his GCSEs, he has released a single
Shaheen was 12 when he wowed audiences with Michael Jackson’s Who’s Lovin’ You in 2009 and came seventh in the final.
He says: ‘It was the best experience. I travelled to the U.S. to appear on the Oprah Winfrey show and was invited to Michael Jackson’s memorial in LA. His family were very welcoming.’
Now 16 and finishing his GCSEs, Shaheen has released a single, Star Sign. ‘My attitude to BGT was to enjoy it. It was a wonderful platform.’
FARYL SMITH ENJOYED SUCCESS DESPITE TURNING DOWN COWELL DEAL
'BGT changed everything': Mezzo-soprano Faryl appeared in the 2008 series. She turned down a deal with Cowell and now hopes to go to the Royal Academy of Music after two albums and performing for the Queen
Faryl was the 12-year-old mezzo-soprano who appeared in the 2008 series.
She turned down a deal with Simon Cowell to sign a £2.3 million contract with Universal Classics. She is hoping to go to the Royal Academy of Music.
She says: ‘Before BGT I was a normal 12-year-old. BGT changed everything — it’s been a whirlwind.
'There have been so many highlights; performing in front of the Queen, two albums, singing at FA Cup Finals.’
Among the comments which hit hard four years ago was the allegation Hollie’s mother Nina, an audiologist, was a pushy mum.
Hollie says: ‘I only joined Saturday drama school because my brother Josh went; and he was only there because his best friend went. When Josh decided to enter BGT I also wanted to do it.
‘Some kids love football and hope for a place in a big team. This is just the singing version.
‘That’s why it’s called Britain’s Got Talent; it’s not Adult Britain’s Got Talent. If there was a children’s version, it would be a like school — a bit competitive and bitchy. Adults help break it up.’
She adds: ‘Josh has just got a part in Mamma Mia! and people said they knew him because they remembered me from BGT.
‘It’s good people know who I am. BGT was the start. I hope if I make it big when I’m older people will say: “Look how far she’s come.” ’
n Britain’s Got Talent live final is tomorrow at 7.30pm on ITV.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2337211/Britains-Got-Talent-2013-Does-end-tears-BGT-kids.html#ixzz2VWdUb4gm
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