Comedian Viggo Venn, who “captured the heart of the nation”, has been crowned the winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2023. Dancer Lilliana Clifton, 13, and 14-year-old magician Cillian O’Connor placed in second and third respectively – but missed out on the title.
Venn’s high-vis inspired routine in the grand final won him the £250,000 prize. He will also get a spot on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance.
The 33-year-old had the judges laughing when he forced judge Simon Cowell to wear a matching high-vis jacket as rose petals were thrown over the pair before the whole audience erupted into high-vis. The audience were in raptures after the performance, chanting: “One more time,” in reference to his first audition on the show.
Alesha Dixon said: “You’ve captivated the nation, they love you,” while Bruno Tonioli said: “I think your physical comedy is world-class, you have created one of the most memorable characters since Mr Bean.”
Meanwhile Cowell said: “At least you didn’t make me look stupid tonight. I have never ever met an act like you in my life, I will admit it, I really really love you now.”
When host Declan Donnelly asked why so many high-vis jackets, Venn said: “I wear so many high-vis because it’s really cold in Norway.”
He beat off competition from nine other acts including Bruno Tonioli’s golden buzzer act Ghetto Kids, who kicked off the grand final with a “joyous” celebration of Africa. Schoolgirl Olivia Lynes, who was Amanda Holden’s golden buzzer choice, also wowed with a performance of Let It Go from Disney classic Frozen.
Sunbed receptionist Amy Lou Smith gave an emotional rendition of Christina Aguilera’s ballad Reflection while comedian Tonikaku left the audience and judges in fits of laughter with his uncanny series of superhero “naked” poses.
South Wales’ Travis George performed This Is Me from The Greatest Showman and married couple Sophia Carmen and Maksym Korbun, from Duo Odyssey, performed a contemporary aerial dance routine to Wicked Game by Chris Isaak.
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Another teenage star, 14-year-old Cillian O’Connor – from County Meath in Ireland, showed off his magic routine which saw co-host Anthony McPartlin disappear before Lilliana Clifton commanded the stage with a dramatic dance routine to Eurovision winner Loreen’s Tattoo.
Across the past week, acts have battled it out in five live semi-finals – with five acts put through after receiving the most audience votes and the other five voted through by the judges.
