Britain's Got Talent winners: Where are they now?

Over its 13 series, Britain’s Got Talent has had a wide variety of winners from dance acts to singers to magicians.

And as the curtain prepares to rise on brand new spin-off series The Champions, which sees past favourites compete with international acts to win the ultimate trophy, there isn’t a better time to take a look back at past champions.

Aside from winning the money and nabbing that all important spot on the Royal Variety Performance bill, BGT winners have gone on to do all sorts in their careers from touring to performing at the Olympics.

Here are the 13 winners and what they’ve been up to since being crowned victorious…

Series 1: Paul Potts

Once a mobile phone salesman, opera singer Paul Potts was the first ever winner of Britain’s Got Talent back in 2007.

Following the show, Potts released his album One Chance and went on to release four more in the years that followed.

His life was turned into a film in 2013 with James Corden as the lead star, charting Potts life from his job in retail to his BGT success, but it’s fair to say that the reviews for the biopic weren’t as great as his rise to fame. Potts will make his comeback on Britain's Got Talent: The Champions this weekend.

Series 2: George Sampson

The young dancer wowed the judges and captivated the audience right from his first audition, showing off his impressive skills. He sailed all the way through to the final with his routines but it was his grand final performance of Singin’ in the Rain that won him glory in 2008.

Since then, Sampson turned his hand to acting and turned up as Kyle Stack in now-axed teen school drama Waterloo Road. He most recently appeared in Emmerdale and is set to return to the stage for The Champions.

Series 3: Diversity

The dance group are, even today, hailed as one of the best acts to have ever graced the Britain’s Got Talent stage when they stormed to victory in 2009’s close final.

Diversity have since gone on to entertain the masses at Butlins and other event, including their own tour. Individual stars of the group have rose to fame through the group, most notably Ashley Banjo.

Banjo has since been seen on television as a judge on Dancing on Ice and has choreographed and taken part in The Real Full Monty. He’s even back with BGT this year as the mastermind behind young troupe DVJ, who are in the final this evening.

Elsewhere, Jordan Banjo was most recently the backstage gossip presenter for ITV’s reboot of Dancing On Ice as well as a stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle while Perri Keily has taken part in Celebrity Great British Bake Off.

Series 4: Spelbound

The acrobatic group left Simon Cowell branding them “one of the most astonishing things I have ever seen” as they somersaulted their way to the top of the public vote in 2010.

The group performed at the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony and have released their own DVD. Several of the members also dabbled with BBC’s odd effort Tumble, which is what it did…down the ratings.

Series 5: Jai McDowell

The Scottish singer won the fifth series in 2011, much to the surprise of most viewers who had backed Ronan Parke for the crown.

McDowell was dropped by Cowell’s record label just nine months after being signed as his debut album failed to soar. He continued to perform, supporting Gareth Gates on tour, but his official website has since gone quiet on his career - until now, that is, as McDowell is set to appear on The Champions this autumn.

Series 6: Ashleigh and Pudsey

The dog act, deeply loved by the public for their beautiful connection during routines, were 2012’s champions.

Pudsey went on to have a great career, starring in a television adaptation of Mr Stink and the pair travelled the country in pantomime and theatre productions. He was then the titular star of his own film – voice by David Walliams – and made his reality show debut on ITV2’s Top Dog Model and another questionable venture from the channel called The Dog Can Dance.

Sadly, Pudsey passed away in 2017 and a heartbroken Ashleigh later revealed that she would continue performing with her other dog, Sully. The new duo will appear on Britain's Got Talent: The Champions.

Series 7: Attraction

As well as arguably being the most unique act to win the show, the Hungarian shadow theatre group found themselves in the midst of controversy in 2013 when they became the first foreign act to win.

Since then, the group have performed in Las Vegas and appeared in insurance adverts.

Series 8: Collabro

The classical group emerged victorious in 2014, beating two other singing acts in the final as a five-piece act.

The group have since released three albums, and lost a member in 2016 when Richard Hadfield left the group – in the same year they returned to perform on the show that made them stars. They will be back - and showing off their best moves - for The Champions.

Series 9: Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse

Any controversy sparked by the foreign winners was swiftly overtaken by the backlash that ensued after it emerged that 2015 winning human Jules O’Dwyer included a second dog, Chase, in her routine to walk the tightrope because Matisse wasn’t too clever with heights.

They went on to perform on the live shows the following year and kept their champions title despite Ofcom ruling that viewers had been misled by the doggy double act.

Series 10: Richard Jones

The former army officer, who still plays in the Band of the Household Calvary, became the first magician to win the show in 2016, embarking on a tour the year after with dates this year also.

He also fronted his own one-off television show called Operation Magic.

Series 11: Tokio Myers

Musician and pianist Myers wowed with his electro-classic mix and his impressive skills, adding his own touch to popular songs. The 2017 winner opened up honestly about how seeing his headteacher being stabbed inspired him to put everything he had into his music.

Since then, Myers has been very busy realising his own album and performing on Cowell’s charity record following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

In an interview with Standard Online, Myers revealed that the past year has been “life-changing in many ways”.

Series 12: Lost Voice Guy

In 2018, the comedian – real name Lee Ridley – became the first comedian to win the show. The Geordie had the audience in stitches with his hilarious routines, which were performed through an iPad app, having lost his voice at a young age as a consequence of cerebral palsy.

Since winning the show, Lost Voice Guy returned to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to perform and is currently just starting his own UK tour. He is also writing a book, for release in May.

Series 13 - Colin Thackery

Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery won over the nation with his heartfelt performances of classics including We'll Meet Again and Love Changes Everything, which he dedicated to his late wife Joan.

Thackery performed at the Royal Variety Performance last November. Shortly after his win, he revealed his intention to give away his prize money to the Royal Hospital Chelsea where he lives and to his grandchildren.

Fans will be pleased to learn that he will also be taking part in Britain's Got Talent: The Champions.

In December, Thackery released his debut album Love Changes Everything, and toured around the UK in February and March 2020.

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