In the past, Simon Cowell has been swift to defend the number of overseas contestants allowed to take part in his flagship show Britain’s Got Talent.
And the influx of foreign wannabes showed no sign of slowing up on Sunday as auditions for the 2025 series entered their second day in London.
Among those who flew in for their big chance were an officer in the Nepalese army, an air traffic controller from Dubai and a German spiritual singer.
They were among hundreds of performers trying to impress the hit show’s producers at the Kia Oval cricket ground.
Lance Corporal Hari Chandra Giri arrived in the UK on Saturday after travelling nearly 5,000 miles from Nepal to audition for a show he has watched since he was a child.
The influx of foreign wannabes showed no sign of slowing up on Sunday as auditions for the 2025 series of Britain’s Got Talent entered their second day in London
Among those who flew in for their big chance were an officer in the Nepalese army, an air traffic controller from Dubai and a German spiritual singer
They were among hundreds of performers trying to impress the hit show’s producers at the Kia Oval cricket ground
The 30-year-old was hoping to wow the panel with his acrobatic performance of walking up and down sets of stairs on his hands.
He already has a place in the Guinness Book of Records for descending a set of 75 steps on his hands at a record time of 25.03 seconds.
But Lance Corporal Giri said his real dream was to appear before star judges Simon, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tolioni for the 18th series.
He said: ‘This is my first trip to the UK and it is just for Britain’s Got Talent. That is my only purpose.
‘I have watched it since childhood. It is the biggest platform to explore talent for people in the world and I’m here to win season 18.’
Mudassar Hussain, who has spent 20 years controlling flights in and out of Dubai International Airport, wants his singing career to take off.
He said after arriving from the Gulf state: ‘I’m not here on holiday. This is my dream. No risk, no reward. I think that if you believe in yourself, you can just go across the planet.
‘That’s what brought me here. Talent is acknowledged here in the right way. I have been watching Britain’s Got Talent for a decade and a lot of people make it through. It’s worth it. If I make it, great, if not, at least I tried.’
Lance Corporal Hari Chandra Giri arrived in the UK on Saturday after travelling nearly 5,000 miles from Nepal to audition for a show he has watched since he was a child
The 30-year-old was hoping to wow the panel with his acrobatic performance of walking up and down sets of stairs on his hands
He already has a place in the Guinness Book of Records, but said his real dream was to appear before star judges Simon, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tolioni for the 18th series
Mudassar Hussain, who has spent 20 years controlling flights in and out of Dubai International Airport, wants his singing career to take off
He said after arriving from the Gulf state: ‘I’m not here on holiday. This is my dream. No risk, no reward. I think that if you believe in yourself, you can just go across the planet’
He added: ‘I’m a vocalist, lead singer. I’ve never worked with a band but I’ve released six singles on Spotify. I’m going to give them a Sam Smith song today.’
Meanwhile, Joyce Hunan Waharina spurned the German equivalent show Supertalent and travelled from her home near Hamburg to perform her off-beat ‘frequency singing’ act.
The 45-year-old said her brand of spiritual music – featuring a mix of voices and multiple nationalities and cultures – brings ‘love, peace and healing’.
She added: ‘I just came to London for this. It’s my first time. People who listen to me said I should try so I did. They invited me, so here I am.’
Auditioners from closer to home included hairdresser Paul Federici who has tried before, but crashed out after one of Simon’s brutal put downs.
The 45-year-old from Finsbury Park, North London, aimed to go further this time with a song written for his nine-year-old son Francis, called You’re Amazing.
He said: ‘Twelve years ago I sang a song of mine called Nothing, here at Britain’s Got Talent, in front of Simon Cowell.
‘It was one of my dark, introvert ballads and Simon said it was appropriately called Nothing, and he knocked my confidence.’
Meanwhile, Joyce Hunan Waharina spurned the German equivalent show Supertalent and travelled from her home near Hamburg to perform her off-beat ‘frequency singing’ act
The 45-year-old said her brand of spiritual music – featuring a mix of voices and multiple nationalities and cultures – brings ‘love, peace and healing’
Auditioners from closer to home included hairdresser Paul Federici who has tried before, but crashed out after one of Simon’s brutal put downs
Unfortunately for Dave Johnson, the producers didn’t fancy his robotic dancing – despite a spectacular black outfit, compete with sinister mask, laser gloves and dozens of LED lights
But Paul kept recording and he has since been managed by a former East17 boss and one of his songs has been played on radio by Graham Norton.
‘In today’s song, I’m advising my son that he will succeed in life because of his failures. I’m reminding him that he’s amazing despite his faults. It’s positive and life-affirming.’
Unfortunately for Dave Johnson, the producers didn’t fancy his robotic dancing – despite a spectacular black outfit, compete with sinister mask, laser gloves and dozens of LED lights.
The 47-year-old grandad from Torquay developed his Resplendent Robot act while working as a care support worker, to highlight the issue of ADHD.
He said: ‘I’m a dancer and I enjoy dancing. I’m raising money for ADHD UK. I wanted something unique that would stick out.
‘The suit has 140 settings – each one changes the lights. These are laser gloves. It’s more effective in the dark or with fog or smoke.
‘I’ve been dancing since I was 16, I’ve done contemporary, jazz, street, robotics, I do a whole mix.
‘It didn’t work out today but my next move would be to work with a team and develop the act again.’
Among the Brits turning out for day two of auditions was karaoke singer Nikki Gould, who was planning to honour her late brother Daniel, after he tragically died five months ago, the day after his 40th birthday
Wearing a colourful costume featuring a t-shirt with the memorial slogan ‘Forever 40’, she planned a version of Tribute by Jack Black’s comedy duo Tenacious D
Simon and the other judges are not involved in the open auditions, but those selected to go through will face them in the Judges’ Auditions early next year.
The music mogul defended the long contentious issue of foreign performers on the show earlier this year, insisting it adds to the competitive nature of the show.
He said: ‘When someone comes from another country with something we think our audience will love there’s no reason not to put them on.
‘I like the mixture of the Brits and the rest of the world because for me it makes it more of a competition.’
Among the Brits turning out for day two of auditions was karaoke singer Nikki Gould, who was planning to honour her late brother Daniel, after he tragically died five months ago, the day after his 40th birthday.
The 43-year-old from Colchester, Essex, said her younger sibling suffered a fatal reaction during dental treatment.
Wearing a colourful costume featuring a t-shirt with the memorial slogan ‘Forever 40’, she planned a version of Tribute by Jack Black’s comedy duo Tenacious D.
She said: ‘It was Daniel’s favourite song and whenever there was a family do, he’d make us all sing it.”
Tiegan Reilly brought along nine family and friends for support, including her father Barry West, a nightclub singer who inspired her to follow him onto the stage
The 19-year-old from Buckinghamshire said she has wanted to become a star since the age of nine when she recorded a song with him
Garry Nicholls, 71, and Claire Neale, 50, from Sedgley, West Midlands, were hoping to book a date with Cowell&Co with their pop act Venus Rising Duo
Music and drama student Evie Towl, 17, from Leicester hoped to put her studies to good use with a strong vocal performance for the BGT assessors
‘We always loved Britain’s Got Talent and we always joked that if anyone was going to go on, it was going to be me.
‘This is a tribute to Daniel. It’s been a tough time and I just wanted to do something to remember him and bring a little happiness back.”
Tiegan Reilly brought along nine family and friends for support, including her father Barry West, a nightclub singer who inspired her to follow him onto the stage.
The 19-year-old from Buckinghamshire said she has wanted to become a star since the age of nine when she recorded a song with him.
The James Arthur fan hoped to make a big impression on the BGT producers with a version of Adele’s Hometown Glory.
Jayanna Earls, 18, from Hastings, can sing and dance, but would be happy even if she didn’t get through.
She explained: I feel good, I feel happy that I’m even here. I’ve watched it all my life on the TV and now I’ve come here. I’m putting myself out there because even if I don’t get through, something might come of it.
‘There could be any new opportunity from it and just to have the slightest opportunity would make me so grateful.’
Garry Nicholls, 71, and Claire Neale, 50, from Sedgley, West Midlands, were hoping to book a date with Cowell&Co with their pop act Venus Rising Duo.
Music and drama student Evie Towl, 17, from Leicester hoped to put her studies to good use with a strong vocal performance for the BGT assessors.
