Britain’s Got Talent’s Bars & Melody unrecognisable with tattoos 8 years later after lawsuit and gun threat drama

BRITAIN’S Got Talent stars Bars and Melody look very different to the days when they appeared as angelic youngsters on the show.

The lads, now in their 20s, are still going as a rap and R&B act, but will be forever remembered for their anti-bullying song on the show.

AlamyBars and Melody – pals Leondre Devries and Charlie Lenehan – were BGT stars[/caption]

instagramThey look very different today but are still best friends and making new music[/caption]

These days Charlie Lenehan – known as Melody – is covered in tattoos, with inkings on his neck, arms and chest.

But he is as close as ever to co-star Leondre Devries – who is Bars – with the pair seen enjoying themselves in exotic locations all over the world.

But life after the talent show hasn’t all been plane sailing.

In 2016, Leondre’s father, Antonio Devries, filed a lawsuit against the duo alleging that Hopeful was his song, written about troubles he was having in his life.

He said that he was unhappy the pair moved away and that he was responsible for promoting Bars and Melody before they appeared on Britain’s Got Talent.

A statement issued at the time from the duo read: “Bars and Melody are sorry to hear that legal action is being threatened and hope that it will be resolved quickly and amicably.”

There was more drama the following year when the duo were caught up in a terrifying gun scare after their manager was threatened with a gun.

The pair were taken to safety following the incident on a European tour in Germany, which took place outside a supermarket.

Manager Phil O’Neil revealed how the gunman claimed they were blocking the road with the tour van.

He said: “I have never come across a gun in 14 years of working and never had to deal with that situation.”

Writing on Twitter after the incident, Bars and Melody assured fans they were safe and well.

More recently, the pair went on tour last year, with gigs on their Stay Frosty tour taking place in Manchester and London.

Bars and Melody were first seen on the 2014 series of Britain’s Got Talent, getting shuttled into the semi-finals when Simon Cowell pressed his Golden Buzzer.

They made it to the final thanks to a performance of I’ll Be Missing You but lost out on the crown to Collabro.

His Syco Music released their debut album, called 143, the following year – signing up the pair on a £500,000 deal.

Touring Europe and Japan and appearing on America’s Got Talent: The Champions, the pair travelled the world.

And they are still making music now, releasing album Carpe Diem and its single Own Ways earlier this year.

This month Bars posted a shot of him shirtless by the sea writing: “New music OTW…I think u guys are gunnu love this one .”

They announced a slimmed down tour days later, telling fans: “Thank you for all the support and love throughout this pandemic, we hope you are all fit and well.”

Reflecting on their musical journey earlier this year, the pair shared a video of their moment on BGT.

They wrote: “7 years today… Words cant explain the feelings towards this video. The moment that changed our life forever!

“Thank you for being by our side every step of the way. We have come to the end of the beginning. Our journeys just started. To another 70.”

PA:Press AssociationThe pair on Britain’s Got Talent as youngsters back in 2014[/caption]

instagramCharlie Lenehan is now in his 20s and covered in tattoos[/caption]

instagramThe pair have just embarked on a miniature tour of the UK and Budapest[/caption]