06 Jun 2024
“Well that was a fun half-term!… Right, as you were!”
For Garden Fields music teacher Mike Woodhams, 38, the last week has been a rollercoaster ride of adrenalin, stress, exhilaration and fun.
He first wowed judges on TV show Britain’s Got Talent during April’s auditions after performing a jukebox of musical impressions including James Blunt, Gabrielle, Ronan Keating, Anastasia, Macy Gray and Heather Small.
All four judges voted “yes” for him to go forwards into the semi-finals, giving Mike a standing ovation for his performance.
Last Wednesday, he beat off rival act dancer Leightonjay Halliday after the decision on a place in Sunday’s Grand Final went to the public vote following a tie between judges Simon Cowell, Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
He had won over the studio audience and viewers at home with a routine featuring hits from the likes of Shakira, Cher, Shirley Bassey, Rick Astley, Take That and BGT judge Amanda.
But despite a spectacular Grand Final show which included impressions of Britney Spears, Kate Bush and Elton John, Mike came in seventh place out of the 11 acts featured.
Mike, who also teaches singing at St Albans-based Performing Arts, grew up locally and attended Sir John Lawes School in Harpenden, but now lives in Milton Keynes.
The St Albans Times caught up with him after he returned to school on Tuesday, to find out how he was feeling following the Grand Final.
“I would have hoped to have placed higher, but I’m still proud of what I achieved. I’ve only been doing these impressions for less than a year, and my first public performance was actually on BGT, which is quite weird.”
What was the atmosphere like with the other contestants? “By the time I reached the final there was a different feel to the competition, we were all there to put on a good show and have a great time. Backstage everyone was having a good laugh, and the sense of jeopardy just wasn’t there. I thought I would be disappointed but I had a really nice night.
“I left the stage and thought, that’s it, it’s done now. Even after I’d done my performance I could feel that I just needed sleep, it’s surprising how much tension is sat inside you, it was exhausting.
“The last week I didn’t leave the bubble of the show, so it’s nice to go back to school and feel a bit normal.”
He spent Monday sleeping for most of the day, recovering from the stress of the past week and spending valuable time with his partner Andrew.
“He’s been amazing, but I’m sure he’s thrilled he doesn’t have to listen to me singing the same songs over and over and over again.
“We’ve barely seen each other over the past week as I’ve been focused on the competition, so it’s nice to do be doing that anymore.”
Although he did not win the prize money or Royal Variety Performance slot, Mike is looking forward to the future: “It’s hard to have a negative outlook on anything right now!
“I don’t know where it will lead, but it will be remiss of me not to take advantage of this opportunity and see where it takes me. I’m not making any decisions now, I’ve still got a few more weeks of school to get through!”
