The bushels in Middlesbrough must be massive if a guy like Dean Wilson can hide his phenomenal talent under one for so long!
“I haven’t told anyone at school about my singing and dancing,” explained the 18 year-old before his Manchester audition: “A lot of people back home think that lads should do boxing or football, but that’s not for me… I just want to perform on a stage!”
Well Dean, if the performance we witnessed on tonight’s show is anything to go by, performing on a stage is something you’ll be doing a lot more of.
As he strode, barefoot, onto the stage to sing Why God Why, an extract from Miss Saigon, he seemed confident and fully assured of himself: “I believe I’ve got what it takes to win this competition”, he told the Judges.
However, that confidence was to take a heavy blow, no more than 20 seconds into his audition.
“STOP!!” shouted Simon, his arm waving in the air. “I hate that song… what other songs have you prepared?”
When it became apparent that Dean had nothing else prepared, and encouraged by the crowd’s chants of: “Let him sing it again!” Simon conceded and let him start over.
With an increased sense of urgency and determination, Dean grabbed his second opportunity by the throat and held on as tight as he could! He flung himself whole-heartedly into the role, and sang and acted as if his life depended on it.
The audience were soon in raptures, and when he leapt off the stage and belted out the final few lines right in front of the Judges’ desk, it was clear a star had been born.
“That was an absolute Tour de Force performance” announced Piers at the finale.
Amanda agreed: “I can see the passion and the hunger in you. The audience loved you, and I love you!” she gushed!
But it was the opinion of Simon, the man who cut short the audition first time round that meant the most to Dean: “I don’t think I have ever seen such conviction and commitment from any audition I’ve ever done. Probably the best we’ve had so far!”
With praise like that, something tells us Dean won’t be hiding his light a bushel anymore.
