The second day of auditions for Britain’s Got Talent closed the Scottish leg of the tour with a bang yesterday as the weird and the wonderful turned out to show off their skills.
Crowds once again braved the rain to queue outside Glasgow SECC Arena in the hope of getting through to the final stages of the hit programme, which launched the career of singer Susan Boyle and dance troupe Diversity.
The performers were asked to strut their stuff in front of judges and will find out in February whether they have made the grade to face a celebrity panel in the hit show, which will be broadcast next year.
This year’s auditions are being held in Glasgow, Birmingham, Sheffield, Cardiff, Belfast, London and Manchester.
Brave singer-songwriter Ailish MacDonald, 13, attended after her mother Ruth, 46, was diagnosed with breast cancer two months ago.
Because of her condition, Ruth nearly didn’t make it to see her daughter’s audition but arrived in the nick of time to watch her perform self-penned song ‘Be Mine’ on her guitar.
Ailish, from Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, said: “I have always dreamed of being a singer-songwriter but I never really had the confidence.
“But when my mum was diagnosed with cancer it gave me the kick I needed to come and audition.
“She has always encouraged me to play and I really wanted to do it for her.
“It’s been a tough year but this is something I really want so I am here to try my best.”
Ruth, an occupational therapist, added: “She’s a little star, I’m really proud of her.
“Being diagnosed with cancer is tough but I am undergoing treatment and hopefully it will all work out OK.”
More than 1,000 people crammed into the venue, nervously practicing in the queue.
Among the crowd was blind pianist Andrew Napier, 18, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, who auditioned with singer Allanah [corr] Carson, 15, from Clydebank.
The pair met at Paisley charity Loud n’ Proud School of Rock, which encourages children to take up music.
The pair played a self-penned song called ‘Hold On’.
Andrew, a Glasgow Caledonian law student, was rendered blind after a medical mistake shortly after his birth.
He said: “I took up piano 11 years ago. I was quite confident going in because we have worked really hard.
“I have been blind most of my life. I took up drums when I was a child and then moved to piano which I really enjoy.
“I have never done anything like this before but we have had lots of encouragement. It would be fantastic to get onto the show.”
Allanah added: “We really enjoy playing together, it’s only been a couple of months but hopefully we have done all right.”
Schoolgirl Ellie Gibson, nine, from East Wemyss, Fife, turned up for the audition with her mum Sam Clark, 35.
The youngster, a singer and rapper, was inspired to audition after the death of her grandmother Violet Clarke who shot to fame in Malaysia in the 1970s with her husband Bob as one half of The Island Folk.
At the height of their success, the pair performed for the King of Malaysia.
Sadly Violet died three years ago from cancer but she passed on her musical know-how to Ellie, who performed her own version of Nicki Minaj’s chart topper ‘Starships’.
She said: “I wanted to audition as a tribute to my grandma. I have always loved singing and rapping. I think my grandma would have been proud.”
Ellie’s mum Sam Clark, 35, added: “Ellie has nagged me for months to let her audition.
“My mum is with us in spirit so hopefully Ellie has done well, we’ll just have to see.
“I have performed as a musician myself over the years but I wouldn’t have the nerve to do what Ellie is doing, I’m so proud of her.”
Singer Ashley Collins, from Partick, auditioned in a sparkly red dress with her friends Amanda McMillan, 24, and Charmaine Stewart, 18.
The 27-year-old, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, has already had a taste of success in the music industry when she supported pop sensations The Wanted.
Ashley performed her own song ‘Superdiva’.
She said: “I’ve played a lot of the bars and clubs in Glasgow and now I want a break for myself.
“I’m not going to wait on someone giving me an opportunity – I’m going to go and get it myself.”
