Britain’s Got Talent viewers were left in tears over a moving performance.
Meghna Amin Screen Time Reporter
13:39, 21 Mar 2026
12-year-old James performed Wicked’s Defying Gravity (Image: ITV)
Britain’s Got Talent viewers have been calling for a young performer to receive the prestigious golden buzzer.
The ITV talent show has kicked off its latest series, with Stacey Solomon (temporarily replacing Simon Cowell), Amanda Holden, KSI and Alesha Dixon searching for Britain’s next champion.
Each year, the judging panel and presenters Ant and Dec can award one contestant a golden buzzer, sending them directly through to the live semi-final rounds.
Following a sneak peek of an upcoming performance, audiences have been united in their plea. James, a 12-year-old from Rye, East Sussex, received thunderous applause after delivering his version of Defying Gravity from Wicked.
Fans admitted they had tears in their eyes after his performance(Image: ITV)
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The youngster confessed to feeling a “bit nervous” beforehand, though his concerns proved unfounded, as he earned a standing ovation with the judges visibly stunned, rising to their feet to celebrate the talented vocalist, reports Belfast Live.
The emotional rendition had Ant and Dec screaming from the sidelines, as Alesha told him: “That was how you do it! Everybody loves that big moment at the end, I can’t tell you how many times my children have tried to attempt that last moment in the song, it is the magic moment, and you smashed it!”
KSI added: “James, I felt like I was watching a Disney kids show. You blew everyone away.”
The young performer sailed through his mind-blowing audition(Image: Tom Dymond/ITV)
“I cannot believe that a little sausage like you has the pipes for something so huge, congratulations,” Amanda praised.
Stacey shared: “You think your kids are talented and then you’re like, no maybe mine aren’t so talented, when you see people like you, James. Your parents must be buzzing.”
She added: “That was absolutely phenomenal,” before Alesha branded James “a star in the making”.
Viewers have been left blown away(Image: ITV)
One fan wrote: “That’s out of this world for a 12 year-old boy. I felt I was watching one of those Disney movies. So beautiful. He is a star even without the Golden Buzzer.”
Another said: “Definitely deserved the golden buzzer,” while a third added: “Rarely does a kid have this level of vocal maturity. It moved me to tears. Should have gotten the golden!”
The judges were all on their feet(Image: Tom Dymond/ITV)
Someone else wrote: “Jeeeesuuuuus! Normally with kids, even trained kids, you can usually hear some bits that show underdeveloped voice and techniques, but my God, this boys control and technique was mind blowing!”
Yet another echoed: “How did he not get The Golden Buzzer?!! Unbelievable,” as someone else said: “When you have crowd reaction like that and all four judges standing, I felt that this was a golden buzzer performance. He nailed that song!!!”
Stacey Solomon was stepping in for Simon Cowell(Image: ITV)
Another viewer wrote: “Tears are flowing down my face listening to that young man. Hit every note.”
Someone else wrote: “THE PIPES ON THIS KID WHAT THE HECK, HOW DARE HE NOT GET GOLDEN.”
Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturday 6:45pm on ITV1 and ITVX.