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Britain's Got Talent contestant shares first photo after life-changing spinal operation

Stephanie Soteriou

Earlier this month, 15-year-old Britain’s Got Talent dancer, Julia Carlile, confirmed that Simon Cowell had stayed true to his word and paid for her to have a life-changing spinal operation in the United States.

The teen dancer was born with scoliosis, which causes a curve of the spine, and Julia was due to undergo surgery to straighten her back later this year, but the NHS-funded op would dramatically reduce her mobility – meaning that she would no longer be able to dance.

Julia’s dance troupe won Alesha Dixon’s Golden Buzzer.
Julia’s dance troupe won Alesha Dixon’s Golden Buzzer.

The girls therefore wanted to win the show’s £250,000 prize fund so that Julia could travel to America and get a different kind of procedure called vertebral body tethering, which would have less of an impact on her mobility and means that she would be able to continue with her passion.

Alesha Dixon immediately pressed her Golden Buzzer for the girls, sending them straight through to the semi-finals where they eventually won a place in this year’s grand final, however, first prize ended up going to pianist Tokio Myers.

Still, Simon coughed up the cash and Julia has now shared a selfie from her hospital bed after flying out to New Jersey for the surgery.

Julia has had her first operation.
Julia has had her first operation.

The dancer wrote: “I did it guys! My first surgery is done. I’m very sore but I’m doing okay, thank you for all your support! #surgery #fighter #strong”.

Julia’s dance troupe, Mersey Girls, also shared a photo of Julia in hospital, writing: “Julia has done it! First op done, we are so proud of her and missing her so much want to give her a MASSIVE HUG, our girl is a fighter.”

Julia previously told the Liverpool Echo all about Simon’s generosity, sharing: “Simon came and spoke to us backstage. Just walking off stage and he said he was paying for it and I couldn’t believe it.

“[Fellow dancer] Annie came up to me and said Simon wants to speak to us. He said we did a really good performance.

The teen will be able to keep dancing after the surgery.
The teen will be able to keep dancing after the surgery.

“I’m beyond happy and it means we can carry on dancing together for the rest of our lives.

“He didn’t have to do it and he has changed my life. There are no word to thank him for how grateful we are. It’s just unbelievable.”

Julia’s mum, Kate, added: “It’s the first time Julia has had any kind of hope about being able to dance in the future.

“We are in a very privileged position because of Simon. We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who voted for girls and Simon and everyone who has supported them.

Simon Cowell stayed true to his word.
Simon Cowell stayed true to his word.

“The wave of support has been unbelievable.”

The NHS procedure would have involved fusing Julia’s spine with metal rods and she’d have needed at least six months to recover.

The American operation will see Julia have screws fixed along a cord inside her back with just six weeks recovery time, the surgery is also reversible if it doesn’t work.

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