After that many years on the judging panel, it’s rare to see the Britain’s Got Talent panel get emotional over an audition.
But insiders claim Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon were “fighting back tears” at filming this week, when Grenfell Tower survivor Leanne Mya performed.
Insiders at the London Palladium on Wednesday told The Sun Leanne sang Sam Smith’s Lay Me Down after confirming she had survived the terrible disaster in West London that killed 72 people in June 2017.
Simon Cowell reportedly looked touched as he told her: “You should be very proud. It’s really important what you just did because it’s easy to forget something like that with everything that’s going on in the world.
“For everyone who lost their lives and had all this [bleep] thrown at them, you’ve had the courage to come out here and pay tribute. You did something very special for them and for you.
“That’s what I call a moment with a capital M.”
A tearful Amanda, 47, is said to have added: “You were so terrified and so nervous but you delivered that song and it was effortless. You have a massive future ahead of you, that was stunning.”
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Last year, Leanne gave evidence at the Grenfell inquiry and also performed at the Grace 4 Grenfall concert on the one year anniversary.
https://twitter.com/grenfellvoices/status/1005954103405678592
It’s already been an emotional year for the talent show, which returns for its 13th series later this year.
After a troubled period away from the spotlight, presenter Ant McPartlin is back alongside his long-term partner Declan Donnelly.
The 43-year-old TV star took almost a year off work when he checked into rehab after pleading guilty to drink-driving following a car crash in March last year.
Ant got emotional as he made his return to the stage, according to The Mirror.
Dec apparently told the crowd: “We’ve got a bunch of acts backstage who are eager to get out here and perform for you. The judges are back, the buzzers are back… and someone else is back.
“My co-host for this series, would you please welcome – Mr Ant McPartlin!” Ant seemed choked up by his warm welcome, as he gave Dec a huge hug and looked out to the audience.
He said: “Oh god, I’m really, really emotional now. I’ve missed you all… What a lovely welcome. What a great show to come back to. I’m thrilled, I’m over the moon.”
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