Britain's Got Talent

The annual television talent competition, Britain's Got Talent, generously donates a proportion of the money raised from viewers' telephone votes to the Royal Variety Charity.

The Royal Variety Charity, in return, arranges for the series winner to appear on our annual Royal Variety Performance, which is held in the presence of senior members of the British Royal Family and viewed by over 155 million TV viewers worldwide.

The Royal Variety Charity is very proud to be associated with Britain's Got Talent, and gratefully acknowledges the fantastic help and support of Simon Cowell and all at Syco Television.

For more information on Britain's Got Talent, please visit ITV1's website by clicking here

Congratulations to VIGGO VENN for winning Britain's Got Talent 2023!

In one of the most thrilling finals seen for many years, Viggo Venn narrowly beat the outstanding and hugely talented dancer, Lillianna Clifton and stunning magician Cillian O'Connor, to be crowned this year's winner.

Viggo has therefore secured his spot on this year's Royal Variety Performance, to be staged at the Royal Albert Hall in London, on 30th November!

History of winners - BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT

2023 (series 16): VIGGO VENN

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Norwegian clown, Viggo Venn, won the 16th series of BGT, securing his spot on the Royal Variety Performance that was staged at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 30 November 2023, in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

 

2022 (series 15): AXEL BLAKE

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The 34 year old comedian from West London won his spot on the Royal Variety Performancer at the Royal Albert Hall on 1st December 2022 - staged in the presence of TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex.

2020 (series 14): JON COURTENAY

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The 46 year old musical comedian from Mosley in Birmingham won BGT in 2020, securing his spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the Blackpool Opera House on 29th November 2020, which was staged virtually due to the Covid pandemic.

2019 (Series 13): COLIN THACKERY

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Chelsea Pensioner, Colin Thackery, won BGT 2019 and won his spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on 18 Nov 2019 in the presence of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

2018 (series 12): LOST VOICE GUY

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Britain’s Got Talent 2018 winner Lee Ridley, from Newcastle upon Tyne, won the nation’s hearts and emerged victorious in Series twelve of the award-winning ITV show. Lee, better known as ‘Lost Voice Guy’ is the first comedian to win the series and is the first ever stand-up comedian to use a communication aid.

LOST VOICE GUY won his spot on the Royal Variety Performance 2018 attended by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the London Palladium on 19 November 2018.

2017 (series 11): TOKIO MYERS

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London-born pianist Tokio Myers won the 11th series of Britain's Got Talent in June 2017. The 32-year-old former Royal College of Music student won both the judges and audience over with his skillful playing and inspired mash-ups of classical pieces with current pop & rock, including Debussy's 'Clair De Lune' mixed with Ed Sheeran's 'Bloodstream'. In the final he performed a rendition of Rag 'n' Bone Man's hit 'Human' combined with classical music and Des'ree's 'Kissing You' beating off 11 acts.

Tokio Myers won his spot on the Royal Variety Performance 2017 attended by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and held at the London Palladium on 24th November 2017.

2016 (series 10): LCPL RICHARD JONES

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Lance Corporal Richard Jones beat off singer Wayne Woodward to win BGT in 2016 following over two and half million votes from the public, and became the first ever magician to win Britain's Got Talent.

Richard left Alesha Dixon and viewers at home in tears as he told the story of a 97-year-old war veteran with a card trick.

Mixing both his passions – the army and magic – he described Fergus Anckorn’s life, revealing he was a survivor of the Thai-Burma Death Railway and also a magician.

When the trick reached its culmination, the curtain on stage lifted to reveal the 97-year-old war hero and Richard’s army band.

Richard won his spot on the Royal Variety Performance, which was staged on 6th December 2016 at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, in the presence of TRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

2015 (series 9): JULES O'DWYER & MATISSE

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Jules O'Dwyer together with her dog Matisse won the 9th series of Britian's Got Talent and won their spot on the Royal Variety Performance, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 13th November 2015 in the presence of HRH Prince Harry.

It was a fantastic final, viewed by record numbers of TV viewers who cast over 4.5 million votes! The final order of votes was as follows:

Jules O'Dwyer, Matisse & Friends - 22.6%
Jamie Raven - 20.4%
Côr Glanaethwy - 10.7%
Old Men Grooving - 10.2%
Isaac Waddington - 9.7%
Calum Scott - 8.2%
Danny Posthill - 5.3%
Jesse-Jane McParland - 4.2%
The Neales - 3.6%
UDI - 1.9%
Entity Allstars - 1.7%
Boyband - 1.5%

2014 (series 8): COLLABRO

Collabro.pngCollabro won the eighth series of Britain's Got Talent in 2014. Specialising in musical theatre, the group consists of Michael Auger, Richard Hadfield, Jamie Lambert, Matthew Pagan and Thomas J Redgrave. The band have an enthusiastic following who they refer to as their "Collaborators" and famous fans include Jade Thirlwall and Little Mix. Their debut album Stars was released on 18 Aug 2014 & debuted at number one in the UK. Collabro won their spot on the Royal Variety Performance 2014, held at the London Palladium on 13 Nov 2014, in the presence of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.

2013 (series 7): ATTRACTION

attraction-bgt-final-460x460.jpgHungarian shadow dancers, Attraction, stole the British television auedience's hearts to win their spot on the Royal Variety Performance, held at The London Palladium on 25th November 2013, in the presence of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Please visit the official ITV1 archive of the 2013 series by clicking here. For up-to-date news and information on Attraction, please click here.

2012 (series 6): ASHLEIGH & PUDSEY

BGT_Winner.jpgAshleigh Butler, aged 17, originally from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire and her performing dog, Pudsey (a 6 year old Border Collie, Bichon Frise and Chinese Crested cross), fought off fierce competition from Jonathan and Charlotte, Only Boys Aloud and the Loveable Rogues, to win their spot on the Royal Variety Performance, held at The Royal Albert Hall on 19th November 2012, in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

2011 (series 5): JAI MCDOWALL

download.pngJai McDowall (aged 24), from Ayrshire in Scotland, won his spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the Manchester Lowry Theatre on the 5th December 2011, held in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. Please visit the official ITV1 archive of the 2011 series by clicking here. For up-to-date news and information on Jai McDowall, please click here.

2010 (series 4): SPELBOUND

rvp-2010-28.jpgThe 13 amazing gymnasts, originally from Spelthorne in Surrey, won their spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on the 9th December 2010, held in the presence of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall. Please visit the official ITV1 archive of the 2010 series by clicking here. For news and information on Spelbound, please click here.

2009 (series 3): DIVERSITY

RVP-2009-QueenEIizabethDiversity.jpgThe ten strong dance troupe famously beat Susan  Boyle, putting her into second place, whilst the boys aged between 12 and 25, from Dagenham, Leytonstone & Basildon in East London/ Essex, won their spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the Blackpool Opera House on the 7th December 2009 - held in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. Please visit the official ITV1 archive of the 2010 series by clicking here. For up-to-date news and information on Diversity, please click here.

2008 (series 2): GEORGE SAMPSON

RVP-2008-GeorgeSampson.jpgThe incredible 14 year old street dancer from Warrington in Cheshire, won his spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on 11th December 2008, held in the presence of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall. Please visit the official ITV1 archive of the 2008 series by clicking here. For up-to-date news and information onGeorge Sampson, please click here.

2007 (series 1): PAUL POTTS

RVP-2007-PaulPotts.jpgThe ex-carphone salesman from Port Talbot in South Wales, won his spot on the Royal Variety Performance at the Liverpool Empire Theatre on the 3rd December 2007, held in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. Please visit the official ITV1 archive of the 2007 series by clicking here. For up-to-date news and information on Paul Potts, please click here.