Axel Blake made a heartfelt prediction on what victory on Britain's Got Talent would mean for him, before he went on to win the new series on Sunday.
Following on from the success of 2020 champion Jon Courtenay, comedian Axel became only the second golden buzzer act in BGT history to actually win the show. His audition aired months ago, in the second episode of Britain's Got Talent' s double header comeback over Easter weekend.
Axel, 34, impressed both judges and viewers at home with a set of gags on everything from him becoming a dad to the joy he gets from a contactless card and Simon Cowell loved him so much that he sent him straight through to the semi finals. Axel featured in the last of five heats across the week, impressing again and earning himself a place in the final.
READ MORE: Britain's Got Talent winner Axel Blake crowned after 'too close to call' final
Axel battled it out with 10 other acts in the hope of becoming Britain's Got Talent winner, with the judges making reference to the fact the final was 'too close to call,' and 'wide open' on a number of occasions as they earmarked the likes of Five Star Boys, Eva Abley and Maxwell Thorpe as potential victors.
But in the end it was Axel who landed the £250,000 prize and place on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance at the end of the year. He beat runner-up Jamie Leahey and third place act Tom Ball, after the likes of Loren Allred and wildcard act Amber and the Dancing Collies were told they weren't in the running to win.
When hosts Ant and Dec called his name as champion, Axel dropped to his knees and, ahead of the final, he opened up about what triumphing on the ITV show would mean to him. In a video shared on his Twitter hours before the finale, axel said: "I just want to say thank you to everyone for supporting me...this could change my LIFE!"
He added: "Whatever happens I'm happy. I've made my family proud and it seems like I've made you proud too."
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