A young singer from York is stepping into the spotlight on Britain’s Got Talent — and his performance is already creating plenty of buzz.
Finley Barrett-Carter, 20, took to the stage during Saturday’s episode of the ITV talent show with a lively rendition of the Elvis Presley classic “Burning Love.” From the moment he began singing, the audience in Blackpool quickly got behind him, cheering and clapping along to his energetic performance.
Hosts Ant and Dec were quick to notice the crowd’s reaction. At one point during the audition, Ant turned to the audience and said, “The crowd love it!” — capturing the electric atmosphere in the room.
But the big question remained: would Finley’s performance impress the judging panel? Sitting behind the desk were Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and newcomer KSI, all watching closely to decide whether the young singer had what it takes to move forward in the competition.
The moment was clearly emotional for Finley’s family as well. His mother could be seen wiping away tears during the performance while proudly cheering, “Yes, my boy!” from the audience.
Even before the episode aired, a preview clip shared on social media received a wave of positive reactions. Fans praised Finley’s vocal talent and his ability to bring his own style to the Elvis classic.
One viewer commented, “Some of us have the pleasure of knowing this lad — he’s a top guy and obviously has the voice to match.” Another wrote, “What a fantastic voice! Elvis with his own twist — well done!”
Finley may already be familiar to some local fans in York. He previously performed at a YorkMix event and has also supported charitable causes in his community. Last year, he held a fundraising performance for St Leonard’s Hospice, a place that cared for both his grandfather Billy and the mentor who helped inspire his singing journey, Mark Payne.
Now, Finley is taking his talent to one of the biggest stages in the UK. Like all contestants on Britain’s Got Talent, he’s competing for the £250,000 grand prize and the opportunity to perform at the prestigious Royal Variety Performance.
A spokesperson for the show explained that performers from across the UK and around the world take part each week, hoping not only to impress the judges but also to win the support of the public. With the judges — and even the hosts — holding the powerful Golden Buzzer, contestants know that one extraordinary performance could send them straight to the semi-finals.
For Finley Barrett-Carter, his spirited take on an Elvis classic may just be the moment that launches him into the next stage of the competition.
