Entertainment
Britain’s Got Talent 2022: Teacher Tom Ball’s audition compared to Susan Boyle as viewers go wild for his voiceTori Brazier
Viewers were struck by the similarities between Susan and Tom as the teacher stunned with his voice (Picture: ITV)
Secondary school teacher Tom Ball wowed the judges and audience alike with this voice on Sunday’s episode of Britain’s Got Talent, leading some viewers to compare him to Susan Boyle.
The 23-year-old from West Sussex auditioned for the show with the support of his dad and fiancé.
His unassuming attitude made for an amusing mix-up when Simon Cowell misheard his name as ‘Tumble’, with the judge also struck by how happy he looked.
‘I’m very excited, I’m really excited!’ he shared.
Tom also revealed that his students didn’t know he was there as he wanted it to ‘be a surprise’, agreeing that he would just have to accept it if things went ‘badly’.
However, taking on Sam Smith’s Bond theme Writing’s on the Wall, the singer blew the judges and audience away right from his first few notes (and mastered those top ones).
Teacher Tom set a difficult task for himself, singing a Sam Smith song (Picture: ITV)
Viewers were immediately reminded of Susan’s stunning 2009 audition (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV)
With the audience at the London Palladium on their feet applauding after his first verse, viewers at home were equally struck by the quality of his voice.
‘First weep at #BGT well done Tom Ball,’ wrote one fan, adding: ‘I can see him as the new Susan Boyle.’
‘We’ve just seen the next #SusanBoyle moment on #BGT,’ commented another, telling Tom to ‘hold your head high’.
‘Tom Ball = Susan Boyle. Absolutely AMAZING! Well done fella!,’ gushed another viewer.
Tom was praised for his personality and positivity too (Picture: ITV)
Susan Boyle famously left the judges open-mouthed with her stunning voice during her 2009 audition for the show, which was recently voted the most iconic moment from the show, when she sang I Dreamed a Dream from the stage musical Les Misérables.
She went on to finish second on the show, behind dance troupe Diversity, and has since achieved three top 10 UK albums, releasing her eighth – Ten – in 2019.
The judges were full of praise for Tom, with Amanda Holden commenting: ‘Who knew what a powerhouse you were? That was an exceptional audition, one of the best singers we have auditioned in the past 16 years.’
Alesha Dixon told Tom she felt ‘really moved’ by his performance, while Simon praised Tom’s personality alongside his talent.
Judge Amanda was surprised by his ‘powerhouse’ vocals (Picture: ITV)
‘There’s something very likable about you,’ he said. ‘I don’t think there’s a single person in this room who wanted you to fail.’
‘I’m so happy you came, I’m so happy,’ he added.
David Walliams – who had earlier delighted audiences with the introduction of the show’s first Golden Moment audition, mini environmentalist Aneeshwar – remarked that Tom’s kids were ‘lucky’ to have him teaching them.
The teacher recieved a standing ovation from the London Palladium’s audience (Picture: ITV)
BGT creator and judge Simon was delighted by the reaction to Tom (Picture: ITV)
More: Simon Cowell
The singer was sent through to the next stage with four resounding yeses from the judging panel, or as Simon put it, taking in the audience’s reaction: ‘I think yu’ve got about 4,000 yeses.’
Elsewhere on the episode, comedian Axel Blake was Simon’s golden buzzer act of the series, with the media and music mogul praising him for making what he dubbed the first ‘actually funny’ joke about Covid.
Britain’s Got Talent continues at 8pm next Saturday on ITV.
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MORE : Britain’s Got Talent 2022: Who is Golden Buzzer act Axel Blake?
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