Tonight, Britain’s Got Talent reaches its thrilling grand final, featuring 10 acts vying for the £250,000 prize and a coveted spot at the Royal Variety Performance. Among the finalists is Jeremy Clarkson’s The Hawkstone Farmers Choir, originally formed for an advert promoting Clarkson’s beer brand.
Jeremy Clarkson recently appeared on Heart Radio to champion the choir, urging listeners to vote for them and thanking judge Amanda Holden for fast-tracking the group to the semi-finals with the golden buzzer.
Ahead of the live showdown, Paul Potts—Britain’s Got Talent’s very first winner—offered his perspective on the choir’s chances during an interview with Sky Vegas.
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Asked if being linked to a high-profile celebrity like Clarkson gives the choir an edge, Potts commented: “The Hawkstone Farmers Choir do feel a bit like an advert for Jeremy Clarkson’s brand at times, and usually when something is that close to branding, it raises questions.
“Whether it helps depends on whether they’ve genuinely got the quality to back it up.”
Paul suggested the choir might not be the strongest vocal group this year, instead highlighting The Lux City Choir—who did not advance to the final—as a more impressive act.
“The gospel choir, which some criticised for being over-produced, was stronger vocally and probably deserved the place more,” he said. “Hawkstone Farmers Choir were a bit pitchy at the start for me. They’ll do well, but I don’t think they’ll win.”
Paul also expressed strong support for Filipino vocalist Matty Juniosa. “He’s got a fantastic voice. His bubbly nature might annoy some, because he’s so unguarded, but vocally he’s exceptional,” Potts shared.
On the competition’s balance, Paul noted, “There are probably too many magicians this year, and with last year’s winner being a magician as well, they risk splitting the vote.”
Overall, Potts felt the musical acts are particularly strong this year, but he believes the show hasn’t provided performers with the best chances to truly shine.
He also criticised the use of buzzers in the later stages. Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and KSI wield red buzzers to halt performances they dislike, and golden buzzers to fast-track standout acts to the final.
“I don’t think any buzzers should be used at this late stage. The normal buzzers shouldn’t be needed because if someone isn’t good enough, they shouldn’t have made it this far,” he said. “Novelty acts shouldn’t be in the semi-finals or finals. Acts like Mr Cherry are fun, but they shouldn’t really be competing at this stage, and no one should be deserving of three buzzers.”
Competing alongside The Hawkstone Farmers Choir and Matty Juniosa are Anastasiia and Salsa, Sadeck Berrabah and LMA, Fabian Fox, Liwei Yang, Ted Hill, Sonny Green, Rafferty Coope, and Celestial.
Britain’s Got Talent airs tonight at 7:30 pm on ITV and ITVX.