Britain’s Got Talent returns this weekend with thousands of hopefuls having auditioned for the top prize – where are the previous winners now?)
Britain’s Got Talent is back on ITV with Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli hunting down the next Royal Variety Performance act.
The show first started airing in 2007, offering a cash prize of £100,000 and a slot at the variety show held at Royal Albert Hall
Viggo Venn won the latest series with his comical act which sparked controversy and divided fans.
He brands himself on social media as the “accidental winner” of the 2023 series, having admitted to joining the show for a laugh.
David Beckham attends premiere of The Gentlemen
Here is all you need to know about the previous winners and what happened to them.
This Simple Trick Will Block All Ads On Your WindowsSafer Online Tips by Taboola Sponsored Links BGT winners: where are they now? Tragic death, cancer heartache and huge fame
BGT: George Sampson is now a theatre and TV star (Image: GETTY)
Britain’s Got Talent is back on ITV with Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli hunting down the next Royal Variety Performance act.
The show first started airing in 2007, offering a cash prize of £100,000 and a slot at the variety show held at Royal Albert Hall.
by TaboolaSponsored LinkHere Are The New Kitchen Trends In 2024 (Click To See)Kitchen Remodeling | Search Ads
Viggo Venn won the latest series with his comical act which sparked controversy and divided fans.
He brands himself on social media as the “accidental winner” of the 2023 series, having admitted to joining the show for a laugh.
David Beckham attends premiere of The Gentlemen
Here is all you need to know about the previous winners and what happened to them.
SponsoredWar ThunderPlay War Thunder now for freeby Taboola
READ MORE Amanda Holden’s four-word response as she addresses hosting Blind Date revival
BGT: Jules O’Dwyer with her dogs (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Rex Shutterstock)
Paul Potts – 2007
English tenor Paul Potts was the first winner of the show and he also worked as a Lib Dem councillor for Bristol City Council.
After winning Britain’s Got Talent, he took a six-month sabbatical from his job and resigned in March 2008.
At the start of this year, he performed the role of Faust in Ken Hill’s Phantom of the Opera in Tokyo, Japan.
He has just appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss his new tour.
George Sampson – 2008
Dancer George Sampson was just 14 when he wowed the judges with his moves.
After the talent show, he went on to launch an acting career, having starred in Casualty, Emmerdale and a theatre production of Snow White.
In January this year, he shared a photo of a tribute to his time on BGT, having framed the iconic shirt, waistcoat and tie he had worn in his winning performance.
He captioned the photo: “My own little piece of history.”
Now 30, he is in a relationship with actress Kazmin Borrer.
Diversity – 2009
Diversity wowed the judges with their street dance performance and returned as a dance troupe as friends of the show.
The group still tours and recently starred in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at theatres in Southend and Southampton.
Individual members of the group have branched out to launch TV and radio careers.
Ashley and Jordan Banjo have both taken on presenting roles, with Perri Kiely presenting the radio show Kiss Breakfast.
Spelbound – 2010
Spelbound, the gymnastics troupe, rose to fame following their BGT win and their BGT Live Tour performance.
There have since been a few changes to the lineup with members coming and going over the years.
They have performed at various venues and have featured in some adverts.
In 2020 member Lauren Kemp opened up to aspirationsacademies about her time on BGT and their win.
She said: “We didn’t expect it at all. Everyone else seemed so sure that we would win but we never thought that. People were even putting bets on us!”
Jai McDowall – 2011
Now 37, singer Jai McDowall is now the low tenor of the group G4, having replaced previous member Lewis Raines.
In December 2023, he featured in a BBC Scotland documentary called Michelle McManus: Talent Show Winners, where he spoke about his subsequent career following Britain’s Got Talent.
Ashleigh and Pudsey – 2012
Fans were left heartbroken in July 2017, when trainer Ashleigh Butler announced her dog Pudsey had died.
Following his death, her other trained dog Sully took over future events, but she said he would “never become Pudsey”.
During her appearance on This Morning, she broke down in tears saying he had acute leukaemia.
From 2020 to 2021 Ashleigh and Sully starred in Once Upon a Panto at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre.
Attraction – 2013
The theatre troupe were still performing as of December 2023, when they depicted the lives of characters Katherine Shoesmith and Rhys Cogan, culminating in their engagement.
Collabro – 2014
The musical theatre group are sadly no longer working together as in August 2022, they announced their disbandment.
Their final performance was during a Farewell Tour in December of that year.
The group also released their final album in October of that year titled Be Still My Soul.
Jules O’Dwyer and Matisse – 2015
The dancing dog act was subject to controversy after it was revealed two dogs had taken part in the final act.
Viewers were unaware of this because Matisse and a second dog, Chase, looked very similar.
Ofcom received upwards of 200 complaints over the incident and the regulator ruled BGT had misled the public.
Jules and her border collie currently live in Tongeren, Belgium.
She used some of the prize money to marry her girlfriend, Marie France.
Richard Jones – 2016
Magician Richard Jones is still performing and many of his 2024 shows have already sold out.
Following BGT he won the Gold Star accolade within The Inner Magic Circle, the highest honour possible.
He is known for leading one of the biggest magic shows in the West End.
