Colin Thackery is a singer who won Series 13 of Britain's Got Talent. Thackery was a retired Chelsea pensioner, and the oldest winner of the show at age 89, surpassing Lost Voice Guy's newly set record. As well as being the oldest winner, he is also the oldest solo contestant to reach the Live Shows of the contest.
In his audition, he performed 'The Wind Beneath My Wings' by Bette Midler - a tribute to his late wife, who died in 2016. He remarked that everything good that happened to him was because of her, as he didn't receive any promotions in the army until he met her. David described his performance as 'Such a loving tribute', adding 'You sung with such heart it affected us all'. Simon simply stated 'You are what this show is all about'.
In his Semi-Final performance, Colin performed 'We'll Meet Again' by Dame Vera Margaret Lynn. In the final chorus of the song, other Chelsea pensioners joined the stage to provide backing vocals. Alesha remarked 'You have won our hearts, and I know everyone watching at home is in love right now', with David adding 'I think we could be looking at the winner of Britain’s Got Talent'. He won the Public Vote and advanced directly onto the Final.
In his Final performance, Colin performed 'Love Changes Everything' by Michael Ball, accompanied by other Chelsea Pensioners, who were both in the audience and on the stage, before poppy leaves fell from the top of the arena, covering the stage and audience. David described his performance as a 'Magic moment', adding 'I think tonight you are unbeatable'. Alesha remarked 'You’re a gentleman - you inspire me, and everybody loves you'. He won the series, gaining 25.3% of the public vote.
After BGT[]
In the spring of 2019, Thackery represented Britain's Got Talent on The Champions (Series 1). He was in the midst of recording his own album. He provided the story of how he had met his late wife Joanne, and how long they had spent together, later calling her a 'Good companion and a very good wife'.
In his Champions performance, Thackery sang 'Supermarket Flowers' by Ed Sheeran whilst accompanied by a choir as poppy leaves fell down onto the stage. Simon remarked that he was 'Such a remarkable person', as he gave his grandchildren the money that he had won, with Alesha adding her belief that his performance was a 'Beautiful, beautiful tribute to Jo'. He came second in a vote of super fans to progress further one above Billy and Emily England, yet one below Preacher Lawson.
In November 2019, Thackery's rendition of the Bette Midler track "The Wind Beneath My Wings" was featured on the latest CD in the NOW series entitled NOW 104.
In December 2019, Thackery released his debut album entitled ‘Love Changes Everything’, peaking at #13 on the Official Albums Chart.
In April 2020, Thackery became the face of an advert for a Dame Vera Lynn coin as to which was purchasable from the Royal Mint.
In October 2020, Thackery performed a rendition of 'What The World Needs Now' by Dionne Warwick via video call from the White Cliffs of Dover, alongside the Kingdom Choir who were in the studio, prior to Ant & Dec and the judges entering the stage as a guest performance during Series 14 of Britain's Got Talent.
In Winter 2020, Thackery performed a rendition of 'What A Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong in tribute to both the NHS & Key Workers as part of the Britain's Got Talent Christmas Spectacular whilst several VTs of key workers and inspirational individuals who raised money for charity and were interviewed on the Television were shown over his performance.
In June 2022, he appeared as a Guest Performer during the fifth Semi-Final of Series 15 where he performed 'I Vow To Thee My Country' by Dame Vera Margaret Lynn made whilst accompanied by The D-Day Darlings, The D-Day Juniors & The Chelsea Pensioners Choir.
In November 2023, Thackery was a Guest Performer at ‘The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance’, where he performed the Korean folk song ‘Arirang’.[1]