Steve Royle is the first ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalist of 2020.
The 51-year-old comedian – who hails from Lancashire, north England – advanced to the final stages of the ITV talent show on Saturday night (05.09.20) after being chosen as the judges’ favourite of the night.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there were many changes on the show including the way the finalists were put through. It was up to the judges – new head judge Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Simon Cowell’s stand-in, Ashley Banjo – to choose their favourite act out of the top three to go through to the final, with the other seven put through to a public vote to be revealed at the show’s final next month.
Steve – who was up against Simon’s Golden Buzzer act Fayth Ifil and father and son magician duo James and Dylan Piper – was overjoyed when he was crowned the champion, telling hosts Ant and Dec: "It sounds crazy, it’s absolutely unbelievable. Absolutely, genuinely, unbelievable."
And speaking after his win, Steve admitted he was speechless.
He added: "I just – I’m very rarely – my wife and kids will tell you – that I am lost for words. I am lost for words. What can I say? I’m absolutely blown away. Four! All four judges thought I was funny. There you are.
"Just let my missus see that. I never, when I entered this way back when, last year, I never dreamt I would come to the semi-final and now the final. It’s both surreal and exciting. I am so unbelievably thrilled."
Elsewhere, Diversity – fronted by judge Ashley – performed a poignant Black Lives Matter-inspired dance on the show, wowing not only the other judges but also the virtual "wall" of viewers who tuned in from their homes.