Britains Got Talent Champions Tonight.

[Georgiesmum]

What happened to Paul Potts tonight? I thought he had got it in the bag so to speak !
UnbelievableThe audience certainly thought so.

[chrissa1]

Why should everybody think that he had a free pass into the final?

[Buenchico]

>>> Unbelievable. The audience certainly thought so

I didn't watch the programme but, according to The Mirror, the voting was entirely down to the studio audience anyway:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/bgts-paul-potts-mortified-humiliating-19116171

Perhaps the type of people who apply for tickets to BGT aren't the same type of people who seek out tickets for opera performances at Covent Garden?

I've just checked out PP's performance on Youtube though (below) and, while I'll happily admit that he's got a good voice, he sounds no better to me than many of the student musicians who busk in Covent Garden Piazza every day (or, indeed, than the lead singers in many local operatic groups).

[Bobbisox1]

Because he was much better than people prancing around in Star Wars costumes ?

[chrissa1]

I agree, Chris. “Back in the day” he stood out because he was so good for an amateur.

[Denton]

Wrong choice of song.imo.

[douglas9401]

Thoughts and prayers.

[thesshhh]

Cowell made it clear he favours the storm troopers, *** though they are. How can anyone be surprised after all this time that these shows are fixed?

[andy-hughes]

I know nothing whatsoever about opera, but I do remember reading that in terms of being a good opera singer, Paul Potts is actually average, but of course, the majority of voters know nothing about it, the same as I don't.

I have been aware for years however, that the power of the song can give a false impression of how good the performer actually is - people get carried away by the emotion of what they are hearing, which more than covers up any lacking aspects of the performer delivering it.

Two fine examples of that point are Paul Potts singing Nessun Dorma, and Alexandra Burke singing Hallelujah.

The simple fact is, I could get on stage and sing either of those, and get tears from audience members, but that would be entirely to do with the majesty of the songs, and nothing at all to do with my seriously lacking vocal talents.

[Arksided]

I watched it last night and thought that the young Connie (8 Cute - composing her her song was better than Potts and the Boogie stormtroopers.

[Mozz71]

//Alexandra Burke singing Hallelujah.//

Good God that was s.hit.e. The definitive version of Hallelujah (for me) is John Cale. Without that, and it's now familiar arrangement, Hallelujah would still be a slightly pompous Leonard Cohen album track.

[brainiac]

Jeff Buckley for me

[Mozz71]

//Jeff Buckley for me//

It's beautiful and haunting. Buckley considered his version a cover of Cale's, according to Cale himself, as Buckley invited him to one of his shows to introduce Cale to his version.

[douglas9401]

If it wasn't for slightly pompous Leonard Cohen album tracks we might very well have deluded operatives in customer facing positions at KFC.

Christ knows they weren't getting anywhere relying on their own talent and charisma.

[Zak51arc]

Paul Potts is certainly a good performer, but, in my opinion there were definitely other acts streets ahead of him.

[Mozz71]

Douglas, you've lost me completely. Care to elaborate?

[chrissa1]

Jeff Buckley for me.