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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Hana Carter

Britain's Got Talent judges in tears after ex Corrie star Ian Bartholomew's audition

Former Corrie actor Ian Bartholomew had Britain's Got Talent judges in tears where he performed a song he had written.

The 67-year-old was known for playing vile Geoff Metcalfe, who abused his wife Yasmeen Nazir, played by Shelley King, on the soap.

According to The Sun he made an appearance at this year's auditions where he performed a song he had written for domestic abuse charity Women's Aid.

He was inspired to raise money for the charity after being horrified by the number of women being killed by their partners during lockdown.

Ian Bartholomew played Corrie villain Geoff (ITV)

Introducing himself to the judges, Ian said: "I am from Cheshire. I was in Coronation Street. I played nasty Geoff Metcalfe. He was a nasty piece of work. I started in 2018 and I fell off a roof in the show last year. I am 67.

"The song I am singing I wrote myself and was used in a campaign by Women's Aid to raise awareness about domestic abuse. I am not here for me, I am here for the charity and the abused victims."

Ian also revealed: "The song came out of the first lockdown when cases of domestic abuse were going through the roof and three women were dying every two weeks and I was so angry and I still am.

"The song just came out and I approached Women's Aid and that is why I am standing here now as this program has the most amazing reach."

His stunning vocals impressed Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams - who all gave him a yes for his performance.

David was full of praise for Ian, adding: "You did it brilliantly and it is going to do loads of good by reaching out to people on TV and it will help the charity.

"The whole package is incredible and it is unexpected because you are an actor from Coronation Street and this is a very difficult subject. It worked very well."

Amanda gave him a few tips, and said that perhaps he could sing with survivors of domestic abuse.

She said: "It would have a much bigger and better impact. Maybe it is something we can think about. I saw a woman here and she was in absolute bits and you are a champion for them.

Ian moved the judges with the song he wrote (Getty Images)

"For me, it would work much better if you had some women with you and form some kind of choir if they are brave enough to stand with you. It is this odd concept of this man that we all know from Corrie singing about these poor women.

"I think it needs some coming out behind you so we can turn it into something even stronger. The song is very beautiful."

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