YORK’s Britain’s Got Talent sensation feared he was going to have a panic attack before his performance – but drew on his busking experience in the city to get through it.
Finley Barrett-Carter admitted it felt “nothing short of amazing” to watch himself star on the ITV talent show last weekend, and hopes he has made the people of York and Yorkshire proud.
The former York College Performance & Production student received a ‘yes’ from all four judges – Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI – after belting out Elvis Presley’s Burning Love at his Blackpool Winter Gardens audition.
His performance has since been viewed almost 500,000 times on the primetime Saturday night talent show’s YouTube channel. The 20-year-old’s own social media follower numbers have also soared, and he is repeatedly getting stopped on the streets in York.
He was with his parents Darren and Lisa at the Blackpool audition last October along with family friend Derek, with his girlfriend supporting at home.
“When I knew it was going to be aired, I was absolutely buzzing. But, even if it hadn’t been on telly, the way the crowd reacted to me would have been enough,” he said.
“I went busking the day after the show was on TV and I couldn’t walk down the street without people stopping me.
“All I have ever wanted is to have my music enjoyed by the people of York. It’s been brilliant to have the support of my own people in York, but there’s even people from America that have been getting in touch!”
Finley studied Acting at York College from 2021 to 2023 and gained a Distinction grade – but he admits he had to conquer chronic nerves before going on stage in Blackpool.
“Just before I was going on stage, Ant and Dec came up to me and I had to put my hand over my mouth because I felt I was going to be sick.
“I was a bag of nerves and thought I was going to have a panic attack. I couldn’t even remember the words of the song.”
However, his dad’s advice — to just treat it like he was busking — helped.
Before his performance, when asked by influencer KSI how he would spend the show’s £250,000 first prize if he won it, Fin said he would give half to his supportive parents.
Both his song choice and voice wowed the audience and judges.
“When the music started playing, the audience were already clapping and I could hear them cheering when I started singing, so I couldn’t be more thankful for them,” Finley said.
“I didn’t want to look at the judges’ reactions, though, because I knew I might start overthinking it if I did and that might take me away from the performance.”
At the end of Finley’s performance, KSI said: “Finley, where did that come from? That was not what I was expecting. I love that! That was amazing!”
Alesha added: “What I loved most about that audition was how you responded when you saw the audience get behind you. Your confidence grew and it looked like you were having the best time of your life up there.”
Amanda added: “It was like an aerobic workout and I’m absolutely knackered!”
Simon said: “The audience love you!”
Demonstrating his endearing charm and charisma, Finley declared: “I love older generational music. It’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s my cup of tea and we love a cup of tea in Yorkshire!”
Reflecting on his song choice, Finley said: “I love a bit of Elvis. I’ve always been a big fan and feel that his songs provide the biggest shock factor when I sing them.
“There was a lot of very talented people at the audition, so I knew my choice of song had to be something that gave me a bit of an edge and I believe people always want to get up and have a bit of a boogie.
“After I came off stage, my mum was crying. I then went to the toilet to calm down and looked in the mirror and burst into tears myself, but they were happy tears.”
Speculation has already started about what Finley would sing should he make it through to the live shows, which determine who then progresses into May’s final, where the winner earns a spot on the bill at the annual Royal Variety Performance.
Finley said: “If it stops here in terms of Britain’s Got Talent, as long as I’ve made the people of York and Yorkshire proud of me, I’ll take that, but I’m passionate about what I do, so I would love to make the live shows.”
Finley has performed at local pubs in and around York with his first gig at the Victoria Hotel.
Many York residents will have recognised Finley on TV as the city centre busker with the “booming voice” who regularly entertains passers-by in St Helen’s Square and is often wrongly accused of miming Elvis songs.
Nearby shop Porters have already taken to social media to congratulate him on his BGT audition.
“The audition hasn’t changed anything for me,” said Finley, whose mum is also a performer in York’s live music venues. “I’ll always want to go and busk in the city and sing to my people.”
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However, acting has always been Finley’s biggest passion and he is currently studying a BA (Hons) Acting for Screen degree at the MetFilm School in Leeds.
Finley said: “A lot of doors are opening for me at the moment and I’ll be looking to release my own stuff at some point and bring back that older generation of music.”
