Special educational needs teacher lands BGT golden buzzer with ‘unique’ voice
A special educational needs teacher has wowed the nation and earned the golden buzzer from Bruno Tonioli on Britain's Got Talent, thanks to her 'unique' vocal talent. Taryn Charles, a 39 year old teacher who integrates music into her work with students with special educational needs, left everyone in awe with her powerful rendition of Aretha Franklin's hit (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman during Saturday's show.
The audience and judges were were upstanding, showering Taryn with applause, as Bruno hailed her as a "very special person". Before her performance, the Surrey-based singer shared that her passion is to "make people smile" and she believes her voice is "all right". She also mentioned that one of her supportive students was there to cheer her on, highlighting how she uses music as a tool in her teaching.
Following her stunning performance, which had the crowd on their feet once again, they chanted for the former Strictly judge to hit the golden buzzer. Overwhelmed by the moment, Taryn dropped to her knees when the golden confetti rained down, as her student, the student's mother, and an impressed Bruno joined her on stage.
During their interaction, Bruno admitted his initial reservations about her song choice, as he couldn't help but compare her to Carole King's version, who famously co-wrote the track. However, he soon gushed: "You made me forget about her version. You made it so much your own, with so much feeling, and the colour of your voice is unique and you're a very, very special person my darling."
Simon Cowell admitted he could tell she was nervous and suggested someone might have told her she wasn't good enough before, which she confirmed. He then said: "Boy did you prove that person wrong and that is what that golden buzzer is all about, you are a little star."
The episode initially kicked off with 29 year old content creator Danny Platinum, who began his audition outside the theatre to engage the crowd in his BGT-themed freestyle rap. His catchy chorus had judges Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon up on their feet, with Amanda Holden and Simon later joining them for a standing ovation.
They all gave him a resounding yes. Alesha called him "fire", while Simon commended him for creating a memorable moment.
Next up was D. V. R. S, a young singing and dancing group that brought the house down with their energetic routine to a medley of Bruno Mars hits. Former Strictly judge Bruno felt each member of the troupe, aged between eight and 17, "could be a star". They also received four yeses.
22 year old student Duncan Murray from Canada chose a less conventional performance, bouncing around the stage on a pogo stick. After performing a backflip and jumping over hosts Ant and Dec, he secured his place in the next round.
Meanwhile magician Arron Jones added some rockstar flair to his act, playing Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'' on his keytar while performing a magic trick. While he accurately guessed the right card picked by Cowell, the judge said the routine "didn't do anything for me".
An acrobatic trio named Serbat Troupe also got hearts pounding as one performer attempted to scale a ladder while another was balancing on their head in a handstand position.
During the trick, one member of the troupe fell to the stage in a particularly difficult move as he tried to balance on one hand. However, they were determined to try the move again and succeeded on the second attempt, earning four yeses from the judges for their efforts.
In another segment, Simon Cowell was taken aback when a large choir, called Simply Simon, took to the stage dressed as him and sang Tina Turner's classic 'The Best', leaving him feeling "very overwhelmed" and "embarrassed". At the end of the unique performance, Simon then took matters into his own hands on Britain's Got Talent, giving a choir four yeses all by himself.
The episode also saw an energetic performance from dance pair Abigail, seven, and Afronitaaa, 20, who wowed everyone with their dynamic routine. Afronitaaa shared that she was inspired to mentor young Abigail, who is deaf, after discovering her dance videos online.
After their performance, which earned them a standing ovation from both the audience and judges, Simon Cowell remarked they were one of his "favourite auditions of the year". Amanda Holden also praised them as "two of the most fantastic dancers we have ever had on Britain's Got Talent".
The judges have already handed out four golden buzzers this series including two in the first episode to singer Sydnie Christmas, 28, and a South Korean martial arts troupe. An eight year old boy with a brain tumour and his choir also secured the coveted buzzer, and a Japanese dance troupe who travelled to Britain's Got Talent because of their love of Simon Cowell.
Britain's Got Talent continues Sunday May 12 at 7:40pm on ITV and ITVX
