BGT's Alesha Dixon struggles to talk and left in tears over Pride of Britain lad
A Pride of Britain winner left judges on Britain’s Got Talent in tears with a stirring performance alongside a choir.
Eight-year-old Ravi Adelekan, who has a brain tumour, won one of the Mirror’s awards last year for his fundraising and courage.
He has now teamed up with family, friends and medical staff to sing at the auditions of ITV show BGT. They sang A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman.
Speaking at the tryouts, Ravi, told the judging panel: “Two years ago I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I’ve been fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity. I thought because I’ve got a brain tumour people would want to hear my voice more so I’m trying to do some fundraising. My brain tumour, facial palsy and hearing loss make it hard for me to sing, so to support me I’ve brought friends, teachers from school, my family, some medical professionals who have helped me through my diagnosis and some other amazing children who have brain tumours.”
BGT judge Alesha Dixon, 45, was particularly impressed, and pushed her golden buzzer to send the choir through to the latter stages. Struggling to talk because she was crying so much, Alesha said: “The golden buzzer is such a personal thing and I always say I can only press it when it feels right.”
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Ravi with Bridgerton actress Ruby Barker (Daily Mirror)“The moment you started talking you just had me. I thought if you’re going to do it, do it for something that means something and can make a difference. You really can. Well done, darling. You’re such a remarkable young man.”
Fellow judge Simon Cowell, 64, told Ravi at the audition at the London Palladium: “You’re a very brave, special person. I’m really happy – well, sad for what you went through, but so happy you had this moment because you deserve it. That’s what I call magic and why we have golden buzzers, for people like you.”
Fellow panellist Bruno Tonioli, 68, said: “We’re all lost in admiration for what you just did. You’re a hero.”
The remaining judge Amanda Holden, 52, said: “You spoke so brilliantly at the beginning. Your personality, everyone around you who love you... it was incredible. Aside from all that you sang really well. What an amazing community and with these people you can do anything. I can’t wait to see you in the live final.”
Ravi won a Child of Courage gong at the Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards last year. It was presented to him by members of the England women’s football team. The lad, from Brighton, East Sussex, was joined at the event by mum Bethan, dad Gbenga and sister Maya.
Ravi at the Pride of Britain Awards (Daily Mirror)Ravi was diagnosed with a non-cancerous tumour on his brain stem in September 2021. After life-saving surgery the next month to reduce its size, he had to relearn to walk and feed himself. His issues include tremors and problems with his balance and sight. But he has been determined to help others and give back to organisations that have helped him.
A year after his initial surgery, he was joined by singers including Paloma Faith, Damon Albarn and Jimmy Somerville for a charity music video of the song A Million Dreams, raising tens of thousands of pounds for brain tumour charities.
The Britain’s Got Talent auditions at the theatre in London’s West End got off to an amazing start last week with the golden buzzer being pressed by the judging panel a record three times on the opening day.
Auditions for the hit series will also be held in Manchester. Norwegian comedian Viggo Venn, 34, won BGT last year.
- Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV1 and ITVX in the spring.
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