When Wayne Woodward walked onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage in 2016, he didn’t look like a typical showbiz pro. Just 20 years old and working as a builder from Sutton, Surrey, he told the judges he usually sings in bars, weddings and little local gigs — nothing like the huge theatre now staring back at him.
Then he dropped his song choice: “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra. A bold pick for anyone, let alone a young lad in a flat cap. The backing track started, Wayne took a breath… and the old-school crooner came out. His tone was smooth and rich, with that vintage swing feel that instantly transported the room back to a smoky ’60s nightclub. Alesha Dixon called his style “effortless charm,” while Simon Cowell admitted that even though he wobbled in places, he loved the performance.
The longer he sang, the louder the reaction grew. The audience, who’d just sat through a run of terrible auditions, suddenly had something — and someone — to cheer for. By the final note they were on their feet, and Wayne walked away with four easy “Yes” votes and a brand-new reputation as the surprise swing star of the series. That audition was just the beginning: he later sang his way all the way to the Series 10 final, proving that the builder from Sutton really did have a voice built for the big time.
