Biography
Colin Thackery captivated viewers through his powerful singing during the 2019 run of Britain's Got Talent and ultimately claimed victory as the oldest winner in the program's history at 89.
He entered the world in 1930 and sang in his neighborhood church choir during childhood, then signed up for military service upon turning 15. Following his deployment to Malaya, Thackery came back to Britain at 19, where he encountered Joan; the pair wed shortly before his 1950 assignment to Korea. Throughout his journeys he entertained fellow soldiers in revues and also offered impromptu performances amid pauses in combat. Once discharged, he and Joan took part in productions with their community operatic society, continuing together until her death in 2016. After their 66-year marriage ended, Thackery found himself adrift and entered the Chelsea Pensioners, the historic residence for former British Army personnel. Staff there encouraged him to try out for that year's Britain's Got Talent.
Wearing the distinctive Scarlet uniform of the Pensioners, he moved the panel and crowd with his take on Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings," offered as a tribute to his late spouse. In the semifinals he delivered Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again," supported by his fellow Pensioners. Reaching the finale, his interpretation of the Sarah Brightman standard "Love Changes Everything" secured the title, after which he appeared before Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance. He later inked an agreement with Simon Cowell's Simco imprint and released his first album, Love Changes Everything, through Universal several months following the triumph.
He entered the world in 1930 and sang in his neighborhood church choir during childhood, then signed up for military service upon turning 15. Following his deployment to Malaya, Thackery came back to Britain at 19, where he encountered Joan; the pair wed shortly before his 1950 assignment to Korea. Throughout his journeys he entertained fellow soldiers in revues and also offered impromptu performances amid pauses in combat. Once discharged, he and Joan took part in productions with their community operatic society, continuing together until her death in 2016. After their 66-year marriage ended, Thackery found himself adrift and entered the Chelsea Pensioners, the historic residence for former British Army personnel. Staff there encouraged him to try out for that year's Britain's Got Talent.
Wearing the distinctive Scarlet uniform of the Pensioners, he moved the panel and crowd with his take on Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings," offered as a tribute to his late spouse. In the semifinals he delivered Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again," supported by his fellow Pensioners. Reaching the finale, his interpretation of the Sarah Brightman standard "Love Changes Everything" secured the title, after which he appeared before Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance. He later inked an agreement with Simon Cowell's Simco imprint and released his first album, Love Changes Everything, through Universal several months following the triumph.
Albums
Singles
