Britain's Got Talent: Singing schoolboy Liam McNally, 14, wows the judges... but will his voice break before the final?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hbgUzQJXo8endofvid

[starttext]
By Emily Sheridan

What a voice: Liam McNally, 14, received a standing ovation from the crowd after performing Danny Boy at his Britain's Got Talent audition


A 14-year-old treble was tipped as a contender to win this year's Britain's Got Talent after impressing the judges with his spine-tingling rendition of Danny Boy.

While schoolboy Liam McNally was put through to the next round, Simon Cowell admitted he was concerned his outstanding voice could break at any moment.

The unassuming teen admitted he wasn't used to performing in front of such a large crowd and usually just sang in his bedroom.

After his performance, Cowell added some drama by keeping the boy in suspense about what he thought.

He said: 'I wouldn't call you a good singer... I would call you a fantastic singer.

'What you've got, when you sing, you have fire in your eyes, you have emotion. You have a real warmth.

'The problem is what you have, you're gonna have for six to nine months and it's gonna go.'


Keeping him hanging: Little McNally's face fell when Cowell said he wasn't a 'good singer'... but he soon cheered up when he was called fantastic


Support: McNally's parents watch from backstage with hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly


Piers Morgan than tipped McNally as a possible finalist, saying: 'You're a serious contender to win Britain's Got Talent.'

Speaking ahead of his audition, McNally said: 'I’ve always wanted to sing on the Royal Variety Performance. When my Mum and Dad tell me I’m a good singer it’s good, but if the judges were to say it, it would make me believe my dream.'

Another singer who impressed the judges was doorman Neil Fullard, 42, who looked casual in a jumper and jeans.


Zero for dress sense, top marks for singing: Doorman Neil Fullard's rendition of Fly Me To The Moon went down a storm


The judges admitted his dress sense had given them low expectations before he belted out a Frank Sinatra-esque rendition of Come Fly With Me.

Stepping in for Cowell, who was ill at the time of the audition, guest judge Louis Walsh said: 'Neil, when you walked out I didn't expect you to be this good. You'e got the voice, you need the confidence.

Holden was equally enamoured: 'You've got a fantastic voice, you're sexy, you're charming.'


Jacko x2: Father-and-son Michael Jackson tribute act Michael and Michael Fayombo


Shamone! Michael Jnr, 14, performed a solo at the beginning of the audition
Morgan added: 'Presentation 0 out of 10, self-confidence 3, actual singing voice... one of the best I've heard actually.'


After Michael Jackson's shocking death last summer, it's expected there would be a rush of impersonators at this year's audition.

However, father-and-son duo Michael Snr, 38, and Michael (Jnr) Fayombo, 14, from Hounslow, Middlesex, proved they were a cut above other Jackson impersonators.

Michael Jnr got the crowd going with his slick Jackson moves, before being joined by his equally talented father.


I love Beyonce: Corey Shaw divided the judges with his Beyonce act


Bootylicious: Shaw put on an energetic performance to Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)


Cowell said: 'I thought it was going to be a shambles. It shouldn’t have worked but it did work. Michael Jr, watching you at the early part was like watching Michael Jackson at his peak.'

Another dance act divided the judges, but still managed to scrape through to the next round.

Cory Shawn, 18, wore a tight-fitting black outfit, wig and knee-high boots - from Primark he told Holden, who admitted she loved them - to doing a Beyonce impersonator to her hit Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).


Going East: Bollywood dance troupe Three Bee


While Morgan wasn't impressed, Holden said: 'I think you had good energy and you're a good dancer.'

Other dance acts to wow the crowds and the judges included Bollywood troupe Three Bee and dance group Starburst, which consisted of 9-13 year olds.

The second street dancer to stand out this series also made an appearance - nine-year-old Tyler Patterson, who was called 'an incredible natural talent' by Morgan.


'Incredible natural talent': Nine-year-old streetdancer Tyler Patterson


Of course, not all the acts sailed through to the next round.

The judges, and Holden particularly, were disturbed by cleaner Julie Watkins, 41, and her out-of-tune rendition of She's Out Of My Life.

Holden said: 'I actually found it quite threatening... quite aggressive.'
Walsh agreed: 'Seriously there wasn't a note in tune... the Exorcist came to mind.'


Out of tune: Cleaner Julie Watkins scared the judges with her performance of She's Out Of My Life


Stunned: A horrified Amanda Holden told Watkins she found her performance quite 'aggressive'












[endtext]