Britain's Got Talent: Grandad proud of golden buzzer recipient Ravi Adelekan

  • Published
Ravi's Dream Choir on Britain's Got TalentImage source, BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT/TOM DYMOND
Image caption,

Ravi Adelekan performed A Million Dreams with his family and supporters

The grandfather of a nine-year-old boy with a brain tumour who sang on Britain's Got Talent has described him as "unflappable".

Ravi Adelekan relearned to walk and feed himself after doctors were unable to remove all of the benign tumour from his brain stem.

On Sunday he performed A Million Dreams on the show, prompting judge Alesha Dixon to award him the golden buzzer.

Grandad Alfie Hays was among 50 supporters who sang with him.

Mr Hays, from Henley, said: "I was nervous for him. I knew he was terrified, just before he went out.

"That's why his Mum kissed him before he started singing... it's a great responsibility on a little boy, but he takes it, and he's unflappable."

He added: "He's the one that gives the tips. He's calm, collected, and considerate."

This YouTube post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on YouTube
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. YouTube content may contain adverts.
Skip youtube video by Britain's Got Talent

Allow YouTube content?

This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Google’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. YouTube content may contain adverts.
End of youtube video by Britain's Got Talent

Ravi's rendition of the song from The Greatest Showman musical, along with his younger sister Maya, friends, teachers, doctors, family members, and other children with brain tumours, has had 1.7 million views on YouTube.

Speaking on stage beforehand, Ravi told the judges: "I've watched BGT all my life and always wanted to audition for it.

"Two years ago I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and I'm here to show no matter what life throws at you, you can still achieve your dreams."

After pressing the buzzer, which showered the contestants in golden glitter and advanced them straight to the semi finals, a tearful Dixon called Ravi a "remarkable young man".

Simon Cowell said: "You're a very talented, very brave, very special person. I'm so happy that you've had this moment, because you deserve it, all of you.

"That's what I call magic, and that's why we have the golden buzzer, for people like you."

Image source, ravisdream.com
Image caption,

Ravi's Dream Team received the golden buzzer and advance to the semi finals

Ravi, from Brighton, later told the BBC: "It was just such a surreal experience to be performing in front of all these people.

"I was nervous before the performance but then as soon as I got on stage, the nerves kind of faded away."

Ravi released a cover of A Million Dreams last year, external, and has so far raised more than £100,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity and Brainstrust.

He teamed up on the single with his dad Olugbenga Adelekan, who is bass player in Metronomy, along with Coldplay, Damon Albarn, Paloma Faith, Bastille, and more.

Talking of his talent show experience, Mr Hays joked: "The bad news is we got through, so we've got to do two more songs, one for the semi final, and potentially one for the final.

"But the crucial thing is Ravi's not bothered about winning... he's got his eye on that £250,000 because that's the money he has to raise."

He added: "We've got to rehearse... and we're not a choir, so we don't have a repertoire.

"It'll be lovely if he got through because he's not pretentious, he's quite a humble little boy."

Follow BBC South on Facebook, external, X, external, or Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.

Around the BBC

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.