Thanks to Wales Onlines for the below:
Singer Jamie hid tragedy of wife’s death from judges
TODAY we can reveal the secret heartache behind Britain’s Got Talent’s latest Welsh star Jamie Pugh.
Millions of viewers last night saw the 37-year-old cruise into the next round of the ITV1 contest with glowing praise from judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan.
The pizza delivery driver, dubbed the show’s most nervous contestant ever, conquered his lifelong terror of singing in public to give a moving version of Bring Him Home from West End musical Les Misérables.
But he hid the tragedy that struck 10 years ago – the death of his beloved wife Tracey, the mother of their three-year-old son Callum – from all who watched the show in an attempt to avoid the “sympathy vote”.
The 27-year-old died from a brain tumour, making Jamie a widower in just his 20s – and the former RAF engineer has battled since to rebuild his life.
Paul and Melanie Cole, who lived next door to Jamie and his late wife in Blackwood, Gwent, said he was a “broken man” when their “beautiful friend” died.
Melanie, 37, said: “Tracey and I would chat over the fence in our back gardens but then for a month or so she didn’t come out. I asked Jamie where she’d been and he told me she was very poorly – a brain tumour, he said.
“It knocked us for six. She was so young and full of life. Soon after, when she must have been close to the end, they moved in with her mum.
“We saw Jamie a couple of months later and he said she’d passed away.”
Paul, 40, said: “Jamie looked a broken man. But I see him nowadays and he’ll say hello. He seems much happier.”
Jamie has told friends he refused to reveal his agony to the judges because he didn’t want the “sympathy vote”.
He took to the stage last night to finally fulfil a dream stretching back almost three decades.
Jamie first heard Bring Him Home as a 10-year-old, today telling Wales on Sunday the sheer emotion of that moment 27 years ago.
After his stunning performance last night, bookies installed him as the main rival to Scottish spinster Susan Boyle for the show’s £100,000 prize and a spot before the Queen at the Royal Variety Show.
He is also in contention to snatch victory from all-singing, all-dancing Swansea schoolboy Shaheen Jafargholi, the 12-year-old who astounded the judges with his performance of Michael Jackson’s Who’s Lovin’ You two weeks ago.
And – to add to the plaudits – Jamie, of Glan y Nant, Pengam, near Bargoed, is being compared to 2007’s Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts.
As the nation’s singers help to turn Britain’s Got Talent into a Wales’ Got Talent showcase, Jamie opened up on his reasons for choosing Bring Him Home: a West End trip as a reluctant schoolboy.
“Les Misérables had just opened and I was fortunate enough to go and see it,” he said. “I’d just hit puberty and was into girls and football, then my parents told me we were going to see a musical.
“I was 11 and it wasn’t the sort of thing I wanted to do. But when it started I couldn’t move until the end. I didn’t even go to the toilet because I was worried someone would take my seat.
“When they sang Bring Him Home, I thought it was phenomenal. It’s so beautifully written. If you close your eyes you can really hear the song, the tone of the voice and the purity.”
Last night’s multi-million-strong armchair audience witnessed Jamie, who also works in a warehouse three days a week, impress the panel with a performance recorded at Cardiff’s New Theatre in February.
The dad credits new love Donna Davies, 35, a support officer for a Ystrad Mynach special school, with helping to beat his crippling nerves. Jamie couldn’t sleep for three nights ahead of his audition. And he failed at the first hurdle last year because he was so nervous he couldn’t even sing for a producer.
He said: “I could hardly get my name out I was that nervous. But I got it into my psyche that I’m 38 and can only try for something for so long.”
Donna, whom he met seven years ago in a Blackwood pub and with whom he has a three-year-old son Ethan, put his name forward again this year and accompanied him to the audition.
Viewers heard him tell presenters Ant and Dec: “I suffer from severe stage fright. It has totally crippled me and I’ve come here today to see if I can get through three minutes.”
Speaking to Wales on Sunday, he compared his terror with that of a vertigo sufferer standing on top of New York’s 46m-tall Statue of Liberty.
The evening pizza delivery man said: “Donna was the reason I had the courage to go for it. I am petrified of singing in public – my hands shake and I completely clam up. I thought the audience at the audition were going to throw tomatoes at me, so I was amazed with the response.”
But three months after shining on stage, he will be called on to sing again – live on national television.
Jamie said: “I’m nervous, very nervous, but I will cross that bridge once I come to it. I’m taking it one step at a time because if I take too many steps I’ll fall off the ladder. My head will go. Yes, I’m a little bit concerned!”
Jamie, whose favourite artists include Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, operatic pop group Il Divo and Grammy-nominated singer-song-writer Josh Groban, said: “I’m not a big fan of singing in public because my fear is so exposed. I first realised when I started having singing lessons in Cardiff seven years ago.
“My teacher, Andrea Beardshaw, taught me about vowels, pronunciation and breathing, but it took me a while to sing in front of her.”
He enrolled for lessons to see if he could make it as a performer.
“If I listen to a CD I can pretty much sing along to most things and hit the notes, so I thought, ‘What would happen if I took the disc away and just heard me?’ But I didn’t realise it would be so hard,” said Jamie.
“I’d have one lesson a month for three months, then leave it for six months. I thought I was wasting my money because I just couldn’t get over the confidence factor.
“If I started to sing and the windows were open I would make sure I closed them. If I was singing in work and somebody heard me I would stop.
“Not many people know I sing, so all this is a bit weird.”
Andrea, who coached Jamie for 18 months, last night told of her joy at seeing her ex-pupil succeed.
“When he came to me he was so nervous and shy; he had no confidence,” she said.
“But I did lots of work on his confidence. I had to find out why it was so low.”
She added: “He’s worked really hard and this has always been his dream. He’s got a cracking voice.
“When he first came to me he had a voice but he had no idea what to do with it.
“When you handle the voice, 80% is emotional and 20% physical. People often find it difficult to take a risk because they are frightened of being rejected – and it was huge for Jamie to take that step.”
Andrea said their first sessions featured no singing, just talking about Jamie’s confidence issues.
“The first thing he sang for me was Bring Him Home, so it’s so cool that’s the song he performed,” said Andrea. “I’m super-proud of him!”
Betting guru Karl Williams, last night said Jamie was the 7/2 second favourite, with Susan Boyle, who has triggered an incredible 50 million YouTube views since her jaw-dropping rendition of the Les Misérables classic I Dreamed A Dream still 4/5 favourite. He put Shaheen at 11/2.
Mr Williams said: “After Jamie’s terrific performance and the judges’ remarks, he has to be a worthy challenger to the Scottish favourite.”
But he feared Wales’ size could mean our hopefuls miss out when it comes to viewers’ votes, adding: “Customers hoping to bet on this should remember the Welsh vote isn’t always the strongest. A worthy winner will always win, but sometimes the vote can be stronger from other parts of the UK.”
Viewers last night saw the 1,500-strong New Theatre audience give Jamie a standing ovation, leaving him stunned and tearful. The judges showered him with praise, and he said he “felt complete”.
Actress Amanda told him: “It’s a beautiful song and that performance was amazing.”
Former Daily Mirror editor Piers branded it “incredible”, while Simon said: “I think I just got how important the last three minutes of your life were and to get the reaction you just got from the audience must be unbelievable. It’s people like you that are the reason why we come to Wales every year.”
Jamie said: “I’m just a simple bloke from the Valleys but my dream is to sing at the Royal Variety in front of a live audience.”
Source: Wales Online
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Incredible. A serious contender. Would get my vote any day of the week
That was brilliant. I don’t even like musicals……but that was brilliant.
I hop he wins
I think he will be a tough contender against susan boyle she was in incredible.He and susan will get my vote definetly. For this neil hunter i think he should be voting for both too.It’s his choice but i think he is wrong.
Hi Sanny. Same here but I might get into them
Jamies’ singing is superb. luvved it. onwards and upwards Jamie…..
WELL DONE JAMIE ‘ BRING HIM HOME ‘ IS A FANTASTIC SONG AS I LOVE LES MIS ASWELL
HE WILL GET MY VOTE ANY DAY !!
KEEP IT GOING
Absolutely Fantastic and gave me the collywobbles! A winner I am sure! Well done Jamie!
I watched last nights show after hearing on my local radio station that a pizza delivery guy was going to sing one of the most beautiful songs every written, and one of my favourites too.
Having heard the first note I was left with goosebumps, of all the versions I have seen and heard without doubt Jamie’s was the most heartfelt and emotional. Through his performance you felt the pain and anguish of the lyrics.
I really hope this is the start of something big in your life. You seem a great guy with buckets of emotion and sincerity.
Good luck for the future
Jamie I cants put it into words how proud I was watching you last night, you made a grown man cry people like you deserves lucky breaks I believe your life will change after that performance the very best luck to you.
Truly amazing! I cry everytime I watch it. I could feel your fear and self doubt and your sense of fulfillment when you finally did it. One of my favourite songs from my favourite musical. I pray you win. Nobody deserves it more.
I am glad you conquered your nerves to sing Jamie it must have been difficult for you well done and keep it up
There was so much heartfelt emotion in your voice it was incredible Jamie best of luck in the contest and good luck
You were truly amazing Jamie, truly amazing and I hope you just continue to go forward with your dreams. Good luck to you and your family
Jaime, you are truly inspirational!!!!! Your voice touches my heart!
Nice one Jamie, We’re all behind you.
Take it all the way.
B.
Oh My God………You have a great talent Jamie.
You made me cry because you sang so beautifully and enchantingly.
I played the video 3 times and cried my eyes out.
God as given you a wonderful wonderful voice.
I am glad to see you are not letting it go to waste.
God bless
Sara
WOW!!! AWESOME VOICE, AMAZING TO HEAR AND WATCH. AN INSPIRATION. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SHOULD BE VERY, VERY PROUD! LOVED YOU AND YOUR PERFORMANCE. XX
Will be voting for you all the way Jamie x x
We have watched your performance Jamie, time and time again and each time are deeply moved by your courage and extraordinarily, soulful, rich voice. A passionate and heartfelt performance. We wish you the very very best and look forward to hearing more!
Such talent and courage deserves reward. The way you sang moved me to tears - and that was only the first song we’ve heard you sing! Be brave you must. Music and a voice like yours helps, comforts and supports as well as gives so much pleasure to the world…keep going…..I can’t wait to buy your first CD.
Well what could i say but what an amazing voice & well Wales have the best singers in the world xx
Fantastic performance from Jamie and he looks a really humble man.
great performance was sujested you and sue did a duet great idea or what
I have seen Les Miserables in the West End three times and I must say that your performance was as good as any I have seen there. You have a wonderful voice and once your confidence is built I am sure you will go on to great things. I am Welsh myself, and am not at all surprised at such a talent coming out of Wales, the Land of Song. Jamie, I would like to wish you all the best in the future, and look forward to the day when you win Britain’s Got Talent!!
u were brill and gave me goosebumps listening to you sing you can win believe in yourself
Welsh singing star, Jamie Pugh, has a wonderful voice. I watched him on BGT and I was really moved by his beautiful voice and the song from Les Miserables. I wish him the very best for his new singing career. Best of luck, Jamie.
Princess Maria Sviatopolk-Mirski/London
hope you win buddy
Today I saw your performance for the first time on Youtube. Thank you for three minuets that I will never forget. You are clearly a gentle-man and you cannot underestimate what an inspiration you are.
God bless you
Jamie, I have no interest in musicals at all, it’s not my type of singing or music, but your performance was absolutely incredible and totally blew me away. I have also never written any type of fan mail at all, ever, but i just had to tell you what i thought. You are one truly talented man.
Jamie you’ve got a fantastic voice, believe in yourself, you’ve got talent!
i saw you on utube and i have to let you know your heart touch mine. i didnt know your story when i heard the song. but i felt your heart ach then i read your story and i new why. i lost my 22 year old son from a stoke. and that song with you voice. touch my soul. i wish all the best for you and god bless angel
Jamie,
You are the man!!! God bless you and you family!
wonderful performance
im 30 and thats my first visit to fan-site in my life.
Heard loads of professional performances, but Jamie was top of the hill!
Song straight from soul… to soul.
Only Jamie can do this!
Music shouldnt be wallpaper- music should be Jamie Pugh!
Thank You Jamie!
never have i cried over a film/programme/music etc. But after watching jamie’s performance, i actually had tears in my eyes. It must be so hard for jamie with dealing with his stage fright…he HAS to make it to the finals and if he does, he will be the reason i get my ticket for Britains Got Talent live this year…absolutely incredible and a true inspiration, two thumbs up, jamie.
What a joy to hear a voice with warmth and passion. Good luck onward Jamie. You have blessed us with a performance surpassing my expectation, a nation’s expectation. God’s bless.
simply beautifully sung song,i have heard many profesional artists sing this beautiful song and jamie pugh is up there with the best of them,no more pizza deliveries for the chap,look forward to his album.
Amazing!! The emotions he conveys to the audience is sensational. You can definitely feel the meaning of the song. 2 THUMBS UP!
Not a very big fan of that genre of music, but that performance was fantastic and thoroghly enjoyed it. Lots of emotion, if this comes out as a single, I will defo buy it ‘n’ Jamie get’s my vote 100%.
Jammie all I can say is that you were AMAZING, It brought Tears to my eyes. I hope you will beat the nerves, as I cannot wait for your album to hit the shops, I will be one of the first to buy it. Yours and Susan Boyles. I Really think the public will find it very difficult to choose a winner out of you two as you both are Fantastic. Kevin M from Plymouth.
Jamie, you made a near-50 year old man cry with your performance. It was clear that the emotions of pain and joy that you’ve experienced in reality underpinned the emotion that you expressed so movingly in that song. That and the sheer richness of your voice is what made it so beautiful. Thank you.
Jamie my heart soured higher than a kite from the first moment you sang my heart was full of pride at having a welsh ancestry ,a voice like yours comes along very rarely so you have got to take every opportunity to go for it,we all come this way once,there are no returns or deposits on life we get one crack at it,take your best shot go go go for it.
looking forward to hearing you once more and my bet is on you for winning.
Jamie, your performance was incredible. I have read much since first hearing you on You Tube. All people who are envious of talent will dig up any dirt they can to discredit. You have sung in public before.. so what! so has Susan Boyle. Take the gift that you have been given and run with it now. It’s your time. The wonders of the internet have brought your talent to the Canadian side of the pond. I look forward to seeing your next performance!!!
Britain does have talent and you are one of the most talented… I have been waiting for your second performance…it was terrific… You have had so much exposure… People will be searching you out… put out a c.d…. come to new york… those judges are not the final answer, they aren’t therapists either… have lost a great deal of respect for them and their show and their judgment..
they could not have been any less sensitive.. I wasn’t disappointed in you…but, I certainly was in them..I was really shocked by the things that they did like… Pretty disappointing. . Thought they were better than they are… pity…. Lost interest in them and their program.. Signing off on them but..Not You…. Don’t you give up.. I have invested a lot of time… watching you and know that you do have what it takes… You Just Need to Keep Digging Deeper…
Just show them…. Go out and make a Real Success of Yourself… You have it in you and you have the support of your family… and You Are Extremely Talented….
Jamie, you gatta believe yourself. Eventhough the second show was not so good as you choiced a wrong song. You must choiced a song with a slow motion which could show your sepcial voice as you have. I listened your fist show for many times . I was very touched by your performance . There are many folks who supports you in here in USA. Good luck….
There are many fine singers in the world. Then, there are the occasional gifts that grace the world and our lives. You, Jamie, are one of the precious gifts.
When you sing, you might just think of me over here in North Dakota, U.S.A., and that your singing is touching so deeply it enables my heart and spirit to soar.
You see Jamie, there are so very many me’s all over the world, and in the audience, that you are singing to, and each one of us sits enraptured by your gift and the gift of you.
Perhaps understanding what it is that you are doing to and for us, will enable you to grasp that a gift is meant to be shared. Precious, What you feel from all of us is awe and affectionate gratefulness for something beautiful…the gift of You.
Oh man, I didn’t know this about the man.
I’m in tears.
He sang for his late wife. Thats what brought the talent out. He sang so that his wife could hear him.
You couldn’t have made this stuff up if you tried.
All the best to him and his son.
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