TV Review: Britain's Got Talent delivers timely stress break

Dealing with the stress of real estate agents while trying to buy a house it was a blessed relief to relax and soak up the joy of a TV talent show that delivered fun together with an empathy for the contestants,

Britain's Got Talent TV One is all about the talent even though some may think it's just a platform for the four judges headed by Simon Cowell and of course the irreverent David Walliams.

Last Saturday night was a beaut line-up.

I think even the sharpest director would have had immense difficulty lining up this fine assortment.

An 82-year-old chap who was fitted out in a mid-brown suit launched into his version of a rap song sprinkled liberally with the "F" word (hurriedly censored every time he spat it out) was marvellous.

"Why that?'' the judges asked him.

"Well I thought I could show that at 82 I still had it going on,'' he said.

It was four yes votes.

These people are all competing for a spot in the Royal Variety Show at the end of the year.
Not sure about his rap song, it would need to be edited for their highnesses.

Four lissome lasses in tiny gossamer silver dresses swished on to the stage to ooohs and aahs from the audiences. Then they (the gals) opened their mouths.

These gorgeous Phillipino gussies were men. And they gave a knock-out version of Sex Bomb.

It got me right proper.

But the couple who sidled on to the stage in costume as Beauty and the Beast threw the audience and judges into paroxyms of chortles.

She could sing, he was a nightmare and it wasn't the fault of his full face mask. He had a voice that could strip lino.

Resounding NO there.

Then a west African chap named Lifford tentatively took centre stage.

We had been told how he'd suffered crippling depression for years and singing was his dream.

Then out soars his glorious soul-inspired creamy rich voice with the old Sam Cooke classic A change is gonna to come ... the audience, the judge and me all knew this was a heaven-sent voice.

It was utter perfection.

The judges pressed the golden buzzer which rains golden glitter down on the performer, sending him immediately to the final. A rare moment on this show.

Lifford cried, the judges welled up, the audience wept and so did I.

Eeeee it were a lovely hour's entertainment.

I was transported to a another realm. No politics, no crime, no game playing, no pushing for more money, just pure natural god-given talent giving it their all.