Harrison Pettman’s audition on Britain’s Got Talent 2024 made waves unlike any other in the show’s 17-season history. Sitting innocuously among the audience with his parents, Michelle and Ian, along with his brother and grandmother, Harrison casually told his mum he was “popping to the toilet,” not realizing he was being quietly escorted behind the scenes by the TV crew.
As tension mounted among his family, fearing he might miss the next act, the 22-year-old security guard and youth worker from Gravesend, Kent surprised everyone by walking onto the BGT stage to perform “With You,” a poignant ballad from the musical “Ghost.”
Harrison’s impromptu performance brought his dad to tears, his emotion palpable throughout his son’s heartfelt rendition. Post-show, he expressed his pride to Harrison, saying, “So proud of you, son. You sang it perfectly, mate, perfectly. No one’s sang it better, mate.”
Judge Bruno Tonioli was effusive in his praise, highlighting Harrison’s rich and deep vocal quality, particularly in the lower registers, a rarity in singers. However, Simon Cowell, known for his candid critiques, tempered the excitement with practical feedback. “You need a lot of practice if this is your dream to be on the West End,” he cautioned. Despite the mixed reactions, Harrison secured four “yes” votes and a ticket to the next stage of the competition.
Harrison, who studied at prestigious music and performing arts schools like The Brit School and Bird College, harbors dreams of a career in musical theatre. Simon’s critique, while acknowledging minor pitch issues, didn’t detract from Harrison’s captivating performance, leaving his family and the audience spellbound.
In a subsequent interview on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Ian humorously dismissed Simon’s comments, joking, “He’s lucky he was sitting far away from me!” Michelle, however, agreed with some of Simon’s points, noting, “It wasn’t his strongest song choice.”
Despite the critique, Harrison’s audition has garnered over 560K views on YouTube within days, making it one of the season’s most emotional and impactful moments, solidifying his place as a contender on Britain’s Got Talent 2024.