As Britain’s Got Talent returns to our screens, Woman’s Own takes a look back at our favourite winners
WORDS: ARIANA LONGSON. PHOTOS: GETTY, SHUTTERSTOCK
BGT winners!
DIVERSITY
Arguably the most successful act to come from the show, London-based dance troupe Diversity won the third series. Frontman Ashley Banjo, 34, became a judge on ITV’s Dance Dance Dance, Dancing on Ice and even filled in for Simon Cowell during the semi-final and final of the 14th series of BGT. Ashley’s brother, Jordan, 30, and fellow Diversity member Perri Keily, 27, host KISS FM’s breakfast show.
ASHLEIGH AND PUDSEY
They were the first dog act to win the show, as the public fell in love with border collie, bichon frise and Chinese crested powderpuff cross Pudsey and his relationship with owner Ashleigh, now 28. A book deal worth £350,000 and a £150,000 fee to appear in panto that Christmas followed – on top of their £500,000 cash prize for winning BGT. He even starred in his own film in 2014, Pudsey: The Movie, where he was voiced by David Walliams. Pudsey died aged 11 in 2017, and Ashleigh’s new pup Sully stepped in for him on Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions in 2019.
PAUL POTTS
After winning the first series, opera singer Paul, 52, became a household name. His first album, One Chance, was a UK number one and he toured the globe performing live and on television. Before winning the show and the £100,000 cash prize, Paul worked as a sales assistant – his story was made into a film starring James Corden. He’s since appeared on America’s Got Talent: The Champions in 2019 and competed last year on the German version of The Masked Singer.
ATTRACTION
Hungarian shadow theatre group Attraction reduced viewers and even Simon Cowell to tears. In 2019, they appe
