‘Britain’s Got Talent’ has new favourite as Chelsea Pensioner jumps ahead of Flakefleet Primary kids

Britains Got Talent’s Chelsea pensioner Colin Thackery is now the favourite to win the show after his heart-warming performance in last night’s final.

The 89-year-old singer has had his odds slashed from 16/1 to 6/4 after his performance of Vera Lynn’s emotional ballad We’ll Meet Again on Wednesday night, saw him soar through to a place in the final.

According to bookmakers William Hill Thackery is now the hot favourite to win the ITV talent show and bag the coveted appearance on the Royal Variety Performance in November.

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After his performance in the semi-final judge Alesha Dixon told Thackery: “There’s just something about you. I know everyone at home is in love right now.”

Amanda Holden had similar thoughts, describing the Korean war veteran and his peers as “the backbone of this country.”

She continued: “If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be here. I think if you’ve lost somebody, that song is the song, isn’t it?”

During his first audition in London, Thackery explained that he lost his wife of 66 years, Joan, in December 2016. At the time, he dedicated his rendition of Bette Midler’s Wind Beneath My Wings to her which wowed the judges and allowed him to proceed in the competition.

Referencing his first performance after his second, Simon Cowell said: “Your voice was way better this time than it was [before].

“That was bloody brilliant. What I really loved about that is it just reminds everybody what people like you did all those years ago and you’re still standing. It was such a sincere performance.”

"For the first time this week I can honestly say I think we could be looking at the winner of Britain's Got Talent this year," David Walliams added.

Later, Thackery described his success as “the most marvellous moment of his life” in a video posted by the BGT Twitter account.

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Thackery’s triumph was almost overshadowed by a technical blunder which saw the wrong act announced as through to the final.

After each of the eight acts had performed and presenters Ant and Dec announced Thackery was through, a continually updated leaderboard displayed behind them. But fans were quick to point out that finalist Siobhan Phillips had seemingly been replaced by eliminated contestant Matt Stirling.

Let’s just hope it’s all been fixed before the show continues at 7:30pm on ITV tonight.