Britain's Got Talent 2008!

BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT EXPERIENCE 2008!

We have had a busy start to the year. It all started last year when we were appearing in pantomime at Scunthorpe. During the run we were being constantly phoned by the TV Company that makes Britain’s Got Talent to go on the show. We have a passion for Variety and have been lucky enough over the last 5 years to have worked in the few remaining long summer season Variety shows that are left in the country. Many times after these shows we have been approached by people saying that it’s a shame shows like these are not on TV anymore. Years ago they were the staple diet of Saturday night TV. We were dubious about doing the show as we have worked hard to build up a reputation. After being assured by the researchers etc we would be shown in a positive light and also that it was about Variety but mainly because we had been invited to do the show we decided to go ahead and hopefully reach a broader audience. (Ah! Ah! We have since learnt not to be so trusting.)                                 

 
Sam & Vicki with Amanda Holden after the Live Semi Finals

 It was certainly an experience into how TV works and a big learning curve for us. Especially in “How to make what they call Good TV” with editing etc. We were told quite a number of times that we were going to be Jeopardy TV. We had no idea what that meant but eventually we would find out!

We have been asked by a number of people about the judges comments of how we went against their advice regarding the singing in the later stages of the competition. We would like to clarify we never actually did go against their advice. The story is as follows – The singing has always been a large part of the act even a focal point ever since we formed Vizage in 2001. The programme makers knew this when they approached us and when we voiced our concerns about taking part.           

Sam & Vicki with Simon Cowell at the rehearsals for the Live Semi Finals

We had and still do not have any intention of changing the format as it has been successful for us for the past 7 years, which Vicki also stated in the televised auditions at Blackpool. So we were surprised to be put through to the semi finals after saying we would not change the act.

During the run up to the live semi finals in May we were encouraged throughout to perform the act exactly as it is. We were NEVER told by the producers etc to NOT sing in fact the TV Company went as far as providing weekly singing lessons for nearly two months with a top vocal coach in the industry. It was standing there listening to the comments and what we knew that had gone on behind the scenes when we both realised what Jeopardy TV means!                                          

Sam & Vicki with Fern Britton on This Morning

Our journey started in January in Blackpool and finished at the end of May. It has been a roller coaster of emotions professionally and personally. We have met some very talented people and made friendships with some of the other acts. We would like to say Good Luck and Best Wishes to all the other acts for the future.

What has overwhelmed us the most during the competition is the vast amount of messages we have had from all over encouraging and supporting us to carry on with the way our act already is. They have been a great help to us when we were beginning to doubt ourselves and we would like to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who took the time to write such lovely messages. It is because of those messages we will always stay true to ourselves and continue to do what we are doing. 

Sam & Vicki with Stephen Mulhern at the This Morning Studios
                  

Vicki & her friends with Stephen Mulhern after the Live Semi Finals