Will Burns on Britain’s Got Talent (Image: ITV)
Britain’s Got Talent superfan Will Burns is over the moon after receiving the highest form of praise from his idol, Simon Cowell, declaring himself a winner in spirit.
The impressionist comic left the judges in stitches with his spot-on impersonations and scooped up the very first golden buzzer of the new series, courtesy of Ant and Dec, as the show returned on Saturday, 22 February. Will, 25, gushed about the opportunity to audition for the show he’s loved since the tender age of seven.
Upon charming the notoriously tough Simon, Will exclaimed: “Simon laughing at me, I don’t think I could get any higher than that,” adding with uncontainable joy, “It’s a pinch me, die happy moment. I mean, I’ve literally got his bobble head on my desk!”
Hailing from Leeds, charity worker Will has harboured a deep affection for BGT ever since its inception in 2007. He reminisced: “Growing up, I was obsessed. I had a Britain’s Got Talent themed bedroom. I got a hoodie for Christmas one year that said ‘William’s Got Talent’ on it. I have always dreamed of being on the show.”
Getting Simon’s seal of approval meant the world to Will, who has watched the show since it started in 2007 (Image: Instagram)
Performing a hilarious comedy set, complete with spot-on impressions of BGT voiceover Peter Dickson, Gogglebox’s Craig Cash and David Attenborough, he wowed the audience and judges Simon, , Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli, who all rose to their feet in applause.
“I was gobsmacked because I am quite alternative, a little bit wacky,” he beamed. “I’m just so happy and delighted they liked it. I said to Ant and Dec that they have changed my life. I’ve always sort of done impressions. At school, when the teachers left the classroom, I’d do a bit of a skit on them, which was fine until he actually came in once and had to do it in front of everybody.”
Having been involved in local theatre shows and pantomimes since he was four and then studying English and Creative Writing at University, Will’s passion for comedy was ignited by a comedy course run by the Prince’s Trust, reports .
“By the end of the week I realised how much I absolutely loved it,” he recalled. “I then did my first stand-up gig in Manchester and it went from there. I just never felt anything like it, that buzz on stage.”
However, his journey to success has not been without its setbacks. He confessed: “I’ve had great gigs, but I’ve had gigs where it’s full and flat. I’ve had gigs where you perform to four people and you’ve driven two hours to go there. But at the end of the day it’s part and parcel of comedy.
Will got the golden buzzer on Saturday’s Britain’s Got Talent (Image: ITV)
Will has captured hearts across the age spectrum with his comedic acts. He recounted: “I once did a gig in the middle of the day for mothers with new babies, and I had a squeaky big dummy that made a noise and every time I told a joke, I squeezed it and all the babies laughed. At least I got a good response!”
The prospect of taking to the stage at the Royal Variety Show, should he win, Will said: “I feel like since I was seven, my whole life’s been building up to this. I’ve always dreamed of being on that stage and I’ve done it. The comedy course with the Prince’s Trust literally set my comedy journey off. So if I got to perform for the King, that would be the definition of full circle moment.”
Contemplating the uses for the £250,000 prize money, Will admits: “I’d have to move out,” revealing his current living situation with his parents in Leeds. He joked: “Maybe that’s why my mum and dad are so excited I got the golden buzzer.”
Britain’s Got Talent airs on Saturdays on ITV1 from 7pm