BGT audience member makes show history in 'knockout movie moment' (2025)

Amanda Holden is blown away by singer Max Fox in tonight's show and praises his gutsy performance

Singer Max Fox made history on tonight’s Britain’s Got Talent when he walked in as an audience member and walked out a Golden Buzzer winner. Max begged Simon Cowell from the crowd for a chance to audition – then wowed the judges with his rendition of Frank Sinatra’s song My Way.

And he says it was his late grandad Tommy, who died seven years ago, who guided him on to the stage. Max said: “My granddad was egging me on in my mind. He always believed in me. He was a bit of a chancer as well – I definitely have his genes. I really believe he helped make this happen. I sang My Way at his funeral, it felt right.”

After trying to get in front of Simon for 19 years, Max – now 35 – decided on the spur of the moment to ask the boss himself if he could get on stage – and he obliged.

Max said: “I must have caught him on a good day. I was debating it in my mind. He could have told me to sit down or get security to take me out.

“I hadn’t planned it, it just came over me. I just put everything on the line and it ended up paying off with Amanda pressing the buzzer.”

Insisting it had not been a stunt, Amanda Holden, said: “I know that’s what people will say, but I promise it wasn’t. It was like a moment from a movie. This guy was in the audience and kept putting his hand up, asking Simon to let him sing. Eventually Simon agreed, so he got up – and was a knockout. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and had to press the golden buzzer.

“We knew nothing about him, he just got in the audience that day and talked his way on stage. I have so much respect for him taking his shot when he got it. He’s got balls, that’s for sure. In auditions, we don’t know what to expect from one moment to the next.”

Max, who lives in Poulton-le-Fylde, near Blackpool, with husband Arturo, says it was his time to shine. He said: “I’ve been auditioning for Simon’s show since I was 16. So, 19 years later, the stars aligned and it was my time to show what I can do.”

After starting out in holiday parks, Max went on the Blackpool cabaret circuit before touring with Cirque: The Greatest Show. He hopes BGT could help him achieve his dream to perform in London’s West End.

He said: “This has the potential to completely change my life. I’d love to be in the Greatest Showman musical in London this year – I’d love to audition.”

• Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals start Saturday on ITV, 7pm

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