Britains Got Talent Winners: Fame or Flop?

Britain's Got Talent has delivered some of the UK’s most talked-about TV moments.

Since its launch in 2007, the show has introduced the nation to opera singers, street dancers, magicians, comedians and even a dancing dog or two.

It has seen 18 stars crowned the winner, each taking home a whooping £250,000 and a spot to perform at the Royal Variety. 

But where are all the former champions now?

From doing panto to becoming TV judges and starring in their very own films, the victors have enjoyed varying levels of fame and success since being crowned the winner. 

Now, ahead of the season 19 finale on Saturday night, the Daily Mail takes a look back at what the winners are up to now.  

Paul Potts - Opera Singer - Series 1 (2007) 

Former mobile salesman Paul Potts was Britain's Got Talent's very first winner back in 2007, having impressed the judges with his powerhouse vocals. 

Following his success on the show, he took the world by storm, bagging a platinum album with his debut album One Chance - which topped the album charts in 13 countries.

Paul has since gone on to release six further albums and has won numerous accolades, while a biopic of his life, starring James Corden, was released in 2013.

Since then, he has reached the final 12 in 2019's America's Got Talent: The Champions, starred in a Tokyo production of Phantom Of The Opera and came third as Koala in The Masked Singer Germany.

He also finished runner-up as Justice Bao in South Korea's King Of Mask Singer. 

George Sampson - Street Dancer -  Series 2 (2008)

George Sampson was just 14 when he was crowned the series two champion, having particularly impressed in the final thanks to his performance to Mint Royale's remix of Singin' In The Rain.

While dancing is his passion, George later turned his hand to acting, having appeared as Kyle Stack in Waterloo Road and Gary in Mount Pleasant.

He also went on to have roles in Emmerdale and the StreetDance films, while also treading the boards in Panto, appearing as the Prince in the Cinderella pantomime in Clacton-on-Sea

An avid gamer, George now streams as he plays online, and back in 2024, he posted a seriously sweet throwback to his time on BGT. 

He shared a photo of his iconic outfit from the show, which he had framed alongside photos of himself on the show, captioning the sweet throwback post 'My own little piece of history.' 

Diversity - Street Dance Troupe - Series 3 (2009)

Diversity were the surprise winners of series three, having beaten fan favourite Susan Boyle to the top spot.

They've since gone on to huge success, having fronted several of their own arena tours and have made numerous television appearances - including a controversial, but award-winning return to BGT in 2021.

The group are also set to launch their Diversity Studio website later this month where people can sign up and book dance classes. 

Choreographer Ashley Banjo has carved out a successful solo career too, appearing as a judge on several shows including Dance Dance Dance, Got To Dance and currently Dancing On Ice. 

He has become a well-known TV personality along with his brother Jordan, who is trying his hand at boxing.

Spelbound - Gymnastic Troupe - Series 4 (2010)

The gymnastic troupe left the judges and audience literally spellbound thanks to their incredible routines and jaw-dropping stunts.

After beating Twist and Pulse in the final, Spelbound went on to release their own DVD and had the honour of performing at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012.

However, since their Royal Variety Performance that same year, Spelbound have largely faded from the public eye. 

The group did hit the headlines again in 2015 when coach Neil Griffiths was accused of mistreatment by parents of three children, however, he was since cleared and described the ordeal as '18 months of hell'. 

Group member Lauren Kemp opened up about their win back in 2020, explaining just how surprised they were to be named champs.

She said: 'We didn't expect it at all. Everyone else seemed so sure that we would win, but we never thought that. People were even putting bets on us!'

Jai McDowall - Singer - Series 5 (2011)

The Scottish singer stunned both the judges and the viewers when he beat favourite Ronan Parke to be crowned the winner of the fifth series.

And while his performance of Bring Me To Life by Evanescence did impress, he didn't fare too well in his music career when his debut album only reached number 54 in the charts.

He was subsequently dropped from Simon Cowell's record label, with the music mogul later harshly admitting that he wished Jai hadn't have won the show. 

They later reunited on Britain's Got Talent: The Champions in 2019, where Simon gave a grovelling apology for not 'supporting' Jai in the past. 

Jai is still performing and has also turned his hand to theatre, having starred in the UK musical production of Come What May. 

Ashleigh and Pudsey - Performing Dog Act - Series 6 (2012)

Ashleigh and Pudsey's Mission Impossible inspired routine won the hearts of the nation, with the duo going on to win the huge prize money and a spot on the Royal Variety Performance. 

Their success saw them bag their very own film, Pudsey The Dog: The Movie, with former judge David Walliams voicing Pudsey.

After numerous TV shows and live appearances, a devastated Ashely announced in July 2017 that her beloved pet dog had died aged 11 after a leukaemia diagnosis.

Later that year, Ashleigh introduced her new dog Sully, with the two going on to have success together, even triumphing at Crufts 2023. 

Ashleigh, who has also dabbled in Panto, has gone on to become an award-wining dog trainer and represented the GB Agility Team 2023 with Sully.

Attraction - Shadow Theatre - Series 7 (2013)

The Hungarian shadow artist group made history as the first foreign act to triumph on the show. 

After winning the programme, the group went on to star in a live TV advert and several live theatre productions including a stint in Las Vegas.

In 2022 they stunned viewers as they made a return to BGT nine years after their success, this time with a new generation of dancers which included some of their children. 

Leader of the original group Szűcs Zoltán was back to coach Attraction Juniors, but despite them leaving everyone in tears with their audition, they failed to make it to the semi-finals.  

Collabro - Male Singing Group - Series 8 (2014)

The five-piece, made up of Michael Auger, Richard Hadfield, Jamie Lambert, Matthew Pagan and Thomas J Redgrave, went on to release three albums after winning, including their number one debut Stars.

Original member Richard Hadfield quit the group back in 2016 leaving the boys to continue making music as a four-piece.

The band took part in America's Got Talent: The Champions but failed to make it through to the later stages. 

In August 2022, Collabro announced that they would be disbanding following a farewell tour in December that year and their final album Be Still My Soul.

The group reunited for an 11-year anniversary show in June 2025.

Two days later, they announced The Harmonies tour of UK cathedrals in 2026.  

Jules and Matisse -  Performing Dog Act - Series 9 (2015)

Jules and Matisse were the second dog act to emerge victorious on the show, though their win was shrouded in controversy.

Their final performance led to viewers believing they were 'duped' after it emerged that another dog that looked exactly like Matisse also took part in the act - causing over 200 people to complain to Ofcom. 

Despite the complaints, no formal action was taken and Jules and Matisse were not stripped of their £250,000 prize money. 

They were still allowed to perform at the Royal Variety Performance but this time with a new name, Jules, Matisse and Friends. 

Jules has stayed out of the spotlight since after saying in an interview that she prefers to keep a 'low profile'. She used some of her prize money towards her wedding to girlfriend Marie France.

Jules and border collie Matisse currently live in Tongeren, Belgium, and it's not known if they are still performing.  

Richard Jones - Magician - Series 10 (2016)

Richard Jones was the first magician to win the show back in 2016 and has since gone on to carve out a successful career.

He launched his very own TV show Operation Magic, while he also has his own magic show Power Of Imagination.

The former army officer, who is still a member of the Band of the Household Cavalry, is currently touring his magic show around the UK.

Tokio Myers - Pianist and Music Producer - Series 11 (2017)

Following his impressive win, musician Tokio Myers went on to release his debut album Our Generation in 2017, which was certified gold in 2021. 

The talented performer also featured on Simon Cowell's charity single Bridge Over Troubled Water, in aid of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Tokio's work went on to gain him three Classical Brit Awards including Album of the Year.

Tokio went on to appear on America's Got Talent: The Champions, while he also spoke of plans to open a new music school for kids from troubled backgrounds and announced the launch of merchandise. 

Lost Voice Guy - Comedian - Series 12 (2018)

Lee Ridley aka the Lost Voice Guy was the first comedian to win the show thanks to his hilarious one-liners and charming personality.

After his win, Lee, who has cerebral palsy, starred in Radio 4 sitcom Ability, which he co-wrote.

He also bagged a BBC New Comedy Award and appeared on numerous TV shows including his very own Lost Voice Guy's Christmas Comedy Club.

Lee also released his very own book 'I'm Only In It For The Parking, has a range of merchandise on sale and is still performing in venues across the country.  

Colin Thackery - Singer - Series 13 (2019)

Army veteran and a singer Colin Thackery didn't leave a dry eye in the house thanks to his rendition of Bette Midler's Wind Beneath My Wings, which was dedicated to his late wife Joan.

Colin released his debut single Love Changes Everything in 2022, which reached number 13 in the charts.

He left fans in tears once more when he returned to the show once more in 2022 for a special Platinum Jubilee performance alongside The Chelsea Pensioners Choir & Military Drummers, The D Day Darlings and The D D Juniors. 

Jon Courtenay - Singer and Comedian - Series 14 (2020)

Jon Courtenay's mixture of music and comedy won over audiences, earning him the coveted title back in 2020.

The father-of-two went on to have an impressive career, though suffered a major setback when he battled skin cancer.

After making a recovery, he continued to tour on his one-man comedy show.

Jon has also now tried his hand as a podcaster, presenting his own show Alpha-Bet My Life. 

He took a show called The Big C to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival about his experiences and, in 2022, took another show called Against The Odds to the Fringe.

He has continued to tour, and is frequently working with Cunard Cruises.

Axel Blake - Comedian - Series 15 (2022)

After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Britain's Got Talent's winner was comedian Axel, who was Simon Cowell's golden buzzer choice. 

Simon said of his performance at the time: 'You're the first person honestly who's ever made a joke about COVID and was funny.'

Axel has gone on to perform several gigs around the country, including London's 02 Indigo, which aired on Amazon Prime.

He went on tour, Axel Blake - In Style - performing at several venues across the country. 

In 2023, he hosted a podcast with his teenage son called Like Father Like Fun. 

Viggo Venn - Comedian - Series 16 (2023)

Norwegian comedian Viggo Venn won the talent show with a combination of dancing and jokes back in 2023.

At the time of his win, he said he was 'embarrassed' by some boos in the audience, but he went on the win the public.

He is touring his solo show across the UK and Norway this summer.

Sydnie Christmas - Singer - Series 17 (2024)

Singer Sydnie Christmas secured the top spot in 2024.

After the show wrapped up she released her debut album, My Way.

In 2025, she revealed she's going back to school despite winning £250,000 on the show.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: 'I'm going back to school in March. I'm going to finish my level three PT qualification. It's good to have something, just incase.'

Harry Moulding - Magician - Series 18 (2025) 

Magician Harry Moulding is the latest star to have won the talent show.

'I can't believe what is going on,' he said. 'Thank you everyone so much, I genuinely feel like everyone has been behind me. This has been the most incredible journey.'

He faced off against dance troupe The Blackouts in the final two, with the group remaining in good spirits after his win, saying it was 'well deserved'.

His routine began with a card trick where he correctly pulled out all the cards each of the judges had picked.

In a pre-recorded video of himself sky-diving, he correctly predicted the cards each judge would select.

The budding star received praise across the board from judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli following his act.

He is touring the UK with his impressive tricks and has grown his Instagram following to over 28,000 followers. 

The Britain's Got Talent season 19 live final airs on Saturday at 7pm on ITV