The talent show can be an emotional rollercoaster and often has viewers and show judges in guffaws or tears with its various acts. The show has become a platform for all kinds of artists who might otherwise not be noticed.
The show returned to our screens on Saturday night a few weeks ago and former East Sussex contestant Steve Hewlett has reflected on his huge success on the show and how it has changed his life.
Steve is a ventriloquist and in 2013 he wowed the judges with his talent and sidekick Arthur Lager.
The 44-year-old dad’s life changed overnight when he found himself in the semi-finals of the competition.
Since then, life has changed dramatically for Steve.
He said: “As Britain’s Got talent reboots I look back with fond memories of my break from TV on BGT, it gave me great exposure on TV’s biggest talent show for variety artists.
“Highlights from the show have to be touring America with the Osmonds.
“I will never forget working with the Famous Osmond Brothers, an entertainment phenomenon that took the world by storm.
“As we wrapped up a five-week season together in Branson, Missouri at the Moon River Theater in November and December 2016, I remember thinking I was jumping on a tour bus and touring America with the Osmond’s.
“I remembered old TV footage of screaming fans and chaos just trying to get on the coach leaving the theater, but, in 2016, as we were preparing the long season for the US tour dates, and getting on the tour bus everyone was snoring within half an hour.
“I appreciated that, of course, because the brothers were no longer teenagers – they were in their 50s and 60s. It was still a time I will never forget.”
Steve enjoyed events that others could only dream of and was able to introduce his wife to Her Majesty The Queen.
He said: ‘I have come across brilliant events such as supporting Kenny G at the Royal Albert Hall or introducing my wife Nina to HM The Queen and HRH Prince Phillip in their own living room at an event at Buckingham Palace in 2014.
“This celebrated 125 years of the Grand Order of the Water Rats, a charitable group of which I am proud to be a part.”
Steve describes touring the UK with his own theater show in 2014 and 2018 as “a dream come true”.
However, Steve’s life, like the rest of us, has taken a dramatic turn, due to the coronavirus crisis and the closure of theaters, live performances in their usual form are on hold. It uses wisley time and creates more material during lockdown
He said: ‘After writing a brand new show about my main character Arthur Lager, I launched a third tour called Arthur Lager ‘Gets Real’ in Hastings on March 11 and 12 this year, but that was the last times I’ve worked with a live audience. .
“Being locked down, just like my models, has given me time to polish this touring show and get it ready for our return to the stage and I can edit my next book Ventriloquest which I’ve been working on for 12 years.
“This is my biggest project to date. And involves most ventriloquists around the world.
“Since lockdown I have stayed positive, been a father, husband, chef, home teacher alongside my wife Nina as we home school our daughters.
“I’ve hosted shows, interviews, made music and comedy videos, and appeared on many friends’ online shows as a guest.
“The most popular thing I posted was a rendition of Matt Lucas’ Baked Potato Song, which me and Arthur Lager covered. Matt loved it, it had over 64,000 views in 48 hours.
“I’ve always worked hard to push myself but at the same time to make people smile, even for a few minutes. At a time like this, not everyone wants to see my act or laugh, but if they do, I’ll keep entertaining to stay sane until the curtains open and the lights come back on.
