Britain’s Got Talent returned for an incredible 16th run last weekend, with a new breed of hopefuls looking to impress judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and newcomer Bruno Tonioli.
And it was youth that prevailed, with 13-year-old choirboy Malakai Bayoh taking home Simon’s golden buzzer on Sunday after moving everyone to tears with his rendition of Pia Jesu.
Early on at Saturday’s show, Bruno was spotted clutching his gold buzzer after being knocked out by Ugandan orphans Ghetto Kids, who wowed with their amazing dance moves.
With the younger generation dominating the talent show to this day, it’s easy to forget that some of the biggest stars to emerge from the show were just kids.
From budding acting careers to a posh restaurant job, MailOnline looks at where BGT child stars are now…
Impressive: It was the youngsters who triumphed at BGT this weekend, with 13-year-old choir boy Malakai Bayoh picking up Simon’s golden buzzer on Sunday
Wow: During Saturday’s show, Bruno was accidentally seen pressing his golden buzzer after being knocked out by Ugandan orphans Ghetto Kids, who wowed with their amazing dance moves
BGT Child Stars: With the younger generation dominating the talent show so far, it’s easy to forget that some of the biggest stars to emerge from the show were just kids [left Connie Talbot and right, Stavros Flatley’s Lagi Andreas]
Connie Talbot
Connie was just six when she auditioned for the show in 2007, and the young star was an instant hit with her angelic voice and beautiful missing front teeth.
She impressed with her performance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow in the final but was pipped by eventual winner Paul Potts.
Since then, Connie has had a generally successful singing career and released her debut album Over the Rainbow in 2007, followed by a Christmas album and her album Holiday Magic.
Her fourth album Beautiful World, released under the Hong Kong-based label Evosound, reached number one on the Taiwanese charts.
She has since returned to BGT: The Champions in 2019 and appeared on America’s Got Talent: The Champions in 2020, but never made it to the final stages of either.
Still busy singing and performing, Connie announced earlier this year that her new EP Growing Pains will be released this month.
During an appearance on This Morning last month, Connie said of BGT: “It feels like it was the beginning of my life because I don’t remember anything before that.
“But I remember parts of the show. It was just, I just wanted to be on the X Factor and I was obviously too young, so I was like, ‘Yeah, it was next.
And it was the first season, so there were no expectations for the show. It just started as a fun day. It gave me a career today, which is amazing. I’m so happy.’
So cute: Connie was just six years old when she auditioned for the show in 2007, and the young star was an instant hit with her angelic voice and adorable missing front teeth
Again Andreas
Michalaki’s “Lagi” Andreas made the crowd laugh when he entered the stage in 2009 with father Demetrios as part of Stavros Flatley.
The then 13-year-old and his father were hugely popular thanks to their hilarious shirtless dance act, with the duo eventually finishing in fourth place.
Since then, the pair have made several television appearances, including ITV’s Sugar Free Farm and Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, where they finished second.
However, shortly after their return to BGT, Lagi announced that he had left Stavros Flatley.
He told MailOnline: “When we got to The Champions I thought it was the right time to go. But Simon Cowell told me not to stop forever. So I’ll be back for a few shows.
The 26-year-old TV personality has since married his fiancee, Annika Crawford, in September 2022. Six months earlier, the couple welcomed their first child, Xenia.
Starring: Michalakis ‘Lagi’ Andreas wowed the crowd when he took to the stage with father Demetrios in 2009 as part of Stavros Flatley
George Samson
George was just 14 years old when he was crowned Series 2 champion after particularly impressing in the finals with his performance on Mint Royale’s remix of Singin’ In The Rain.
Although dancing is his passion, George later turned to acting after starring as Kyle Stack in Waterloo Road and Gary in Mount Pleasant.
He also had roles in Emmerdale and the StreetDance films while also performing in panto.
George recently appeared as the prince in the Cinderella pantomime in Clacton-on-Sea.
The artist is also in love with actress-girlfriend Kazmin Borrer, and the couple recently celebrated their three-year anniversary.
Young star: George was just 14 when he was crowned Series 2 champion after particularly impressing in the final with his performance on Mint Royale’s remix of Singin’ In The Rain
Ron Parke
Ronan wowed the judges and the audience with his amazing audition performance of Feeling Good aged just 12.
The youngster missed out on top spot at the 2011 show when Scottish singer Jai McDowell was crowned champion.
Since appearing on the show, Ronan signed a record deal with Simon Cowell’s label and released a self-titled album of covers, but sadly it was canceled a year later.
In 2019, Ronan was open about his sexuality, telling Attitude magazine: “I’ve always identified as gay – and I’ve always been proud to say it.”
While Ronan still has a penchant for acting, he was recently spotted out and about in a dapper suit while working at posh London restaurant Scott’s.
A long time ago: Ronan wowed the judges and audiences with his amazing audition performance of Feeling Good aged just 12
Shaheen Jafargholi
Shaheen blew everyone away at his 2009 audition with his powerful performance of Michael Jackson’s Who’s Loving You.
The then 12-year-old’s performance won worldwide acclaim, even leading to him being chosen to perform his audition song at Michael’s televised memorial service at LA’s Staples Center.
With Shaheen’s amazing voice, he has appeared on many TV shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The MOBO Awards and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
He continued his acting career, making cameo appearances in films such as Torchwood and Grandpa in My Pocket.
Shaheen next starred in EastEnders in 2016, playing Bonnie Langford’s on-screen son Shakil before the character was killed off two years later.
In August 2018, it was announced that he had signed on to play nurse Marty Kirkby in Casualty, a role he played for five years before ending last month.
Wow: Shaheen blew everyone away at his 2009 audition thanks to his powerful performance of Michael Jackson’s Who’s Loving You
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Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
