Britain’s Got Talent kicked off for another series over the weekend, with choir singer Malakai Bayoh scoring Simon Cowell’s coveted Golden Buzzer spot.
And the 13-year-old sensation has now spoken on the experience, after weeks of having to keep it a secret ahead of the episode airing.
Appearing on Monday morning’s instalment of breakfast show Good Morning Britain, Malakai shared his shock at being given a fast-track to the live shows.
The singer told hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls: ‘It was a really cool experience to have, especially singing in front of all the judges. I was really surprised because I didn’t know he [Simon] would press the golden buzzer’.
His Britain’s Got Talent appearance comes just months after he was embroiled in a scandal when a heckler at the Royal Opera House booed him during a performance of Alcina – leading to a lifetime ban for the audience member.
Britain’s Got Talent choirboy sensation Malakai Bayoh, 13, has shared his shock at receiving Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer during Sunday evening’s episode
Joy: He was left overwhelmed with joy as Simon pushed the golden buzzer during the show, fast-tracking Malakai to the live shows
Excited: He delightedly discussed his successes on the show during his appearance on GMB
Troubles: In November, an oafish concert goer who booed Malakai’s solo performance was banned from the Royal Opera House in London (pictured during performance)
Continuing to share how he got into singing, Malakai explained that it was mum, who joined him on the show, who pushed him to get into singing at a young age.
‘My mum made me join my local choir when I was 7 years old. And after that I joined my secondary school, with that there came opportunities to do operas and concerts and stuff too,’ continued Malakai.
His mother went on to share that she pushed her son to get into singing after hearing him sing a rendition of Lukas Graham’s ‘7 years’, when he himself was seven years old.
She explained: ‘His older sister was in the choir and every year they would sing me for me. When I heard him sing for the first time I said “you’re auditioning for the choir”. He had a friend’s party and I said: “You’re not going unless you audition”‘.
Malakai added that he hopes to become an opera singer in the future after securing Simon’s coveted golden buzzer spot during the Manchester auditions.
Following his performance on the show, viewers took to Twitter during the episode to express their appreciation for it, calling for him to win the show and insisting he’d be perfect to perform for King Charles at the upcoming Royal Variety Performance.
One person wrote: ‘I think King Charles and Queen Camilla would adore listening to young Malakai singing at Royal Variety this year. Stunning voice!!!! #BritainsGotTalent #BGT.’
Another shared: ‘What an amazing voice Malakai has for such a young age #BritainsGotTalent.’
Supportive family: Continuing to share how he got into singing, Malakai explained that it was mum, who joined him on the show, who pushed him to get into singing at a young age
Starting young: Speaking on his journey, Malakai shared: ‘My mum made me join my local choir when I was 7 years old’
Close by: His mother was the driving force behind his musical roots and joined him on TV
Another declared: ‘This generations Aled Jones. Stardom for sure #bgt’.
Another person tweeted: ‘Wow, Malakai was outstanding.. an unbelievable voice! A brilliant performance and well deserving of Simon’s golden buzzer! #BritainsGotTalent #BGT.’
‘Malakai Bayoh, the second #GoldenBuzzer of the series, from @SimonCowell really needs to sing at Our Kings Coronation #BGT2023 #BritainsGotTalent,’wrote another viewer.
In November, an oafish concert goer who booed Malakai’s solo performance was banned from the Royal Opera House in London.
Malakai, who was 12 at the time, had ‘rubbish’ shouted at him while he sang an aria on the opening night of Handel’s Alcina.
When he left the stage, the audience, which was shocked by the outburst, erupted into loud applause and cheering.
Passion: Malakai added that he hopes to become an opera singer in the future after securing Simon’s coveted golden buzzer spot during the Manchester auditions
Moving: His audition left all of the judges misty-eyed, with the audience giving him a standing ovation at the Manchester auditions
Opening up: He no doubt thrilled audiences with his appearance
Family support: Malakai posed for a backstage selfie with his mother – who accompanied him to his Britain’s Got Talent audition – at the Royal Albert Hall last week
Rising star: Malakai, 13, wowed the Britain’s Got Talent judges with his angelic voice
The ROH said it was ‘appalled’ by the behaviour of the heckler and ‘steps had been taken’ to ensure that the audience member, whose identity is unknown, ‘does not return’.
Prior to his appearance on BGT has had a host of brushes with fame, including taking to the stage at some of London’s most iconic concert venues, and has previously sung with Welsh singer Aled Jones, 52.
Studying at The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in west London known for its long tradition of fine choral singing, Malakai could be set to follow in the footsteps of Aled who rose to fame aged 14 in 1985 when his recording of Walking in the Air reached the UK top five.
Malakai most recently performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday last week where he made his solo debut in a Classic FM Live concert in front of a sold-out audience of 5,000.
Making music: The choirboy has taken to the stage at some of London’s most iconic concert venues, and has previously sung with Welsh singer Aled Jones, 52 (left) (pictured at St Paul’s Church Covent Garden, otherwise known as The Actors’ Church last year)
Born to perform: Malakai is seen rehearsing for his performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London last week
The treble gave a virtuosic performance of Mozart’s Alleluia, with the moment available on the radio station’s Global Player this coming Saturday at 4pm, and in the future on Sky Arts.
In November last year, Malakai made his debut at the Royal Opera House in London, singing the role of Oberto in Handel’s opera Alcina.
A month later in December, he went viral singing O Holy Night and Walking in the Air with Aled, with the pair’s videos reaching more than 25million views.
Malakai began as a chorister at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark in London before attending The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School and singing with their acclaimed Schola Cantorum which has toured the world in recent years.
Britain’s Got Talent returns next Saturday on ITV and ITVX at 8pm.
On stage: Malakai most recently performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday last week where he made his solo debut in a Classic FM Live concert in front of 5,000 people (pictured at the Royal Albert Hall last week)
Success story: Malakai could be set to follow in the footsteps of Aled who rose to fame aged 14 in 1985 when his recording of Walking in the Air reached the UK top five
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