In a surprising twist during the final round of auditions for Britain’s Got Talent 2025, singer Max Fox seized an unexpected opportunity to perform, capturing the hearts of the judges and viewers alike. The dramatic moment unfolded on April 19, when Fox shouted out from the audience, expressing his long-held desire to showcase his talent to judge Simon Cowell.
As the judges, including Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and guest judge KSI, prepared for the next act, Fox called out, "19 years I’ve tried to get in front of you and I’ve never ever had that chance. Can you give me one opportunity? I can show you what I’ve got." His passionate plea caught the attention of the panel, leading to a moment of confusion and excitement.
Simon Cowell, visibly taken aback, stood up and inquired, "Are you serious? Hang on, is this a wind-up?" As Fox made his way toward the stage, security personnel moved in to intervene. However, Cowell quickly signaled for them to stand down, recognizing the sincerity of Fox’s request. "No, it’s okay," Cowell assured the guards, allowing Fox to approach the judges' desk.
Fox introduced himself, stating, "I’m a local singer," and expressed that he felt this might be his last chance to perform. "I just chanced it, yeah," he explained, humorously attributing his luck to his choice of jacket. The judges, including KSI who remarked, "I’ve never seen this happen before," were captivated by the unfolding drama.
After a brief exchange, Cowell encouraged Fox, saying, "Alright, go do it!" With the crowd cheering him on, Fox made his way backstage to prepare for his impromptu audition. He returned to the stage and delivered a powerful rendition of Frank Sinatra’s classic, "My Way," which left the audience in awe.
Following his performance, Fox shared the emotional significance of the moment, revealing that it was inspired by his late grandfather, Tommy, who passed away seven years ago. "My granddad was egging me on in my mind. He always believed in me. I sang My Way at his funeral; it felt right," Fox said, reflecting on the personal connection to the song.
His heartfelt performance earned him a standing ovation from the judges and the audience alike. In a remarkable turn of events, Amanda Holden pressed the Golden Buzzer for Fox, despite having already used hers earlier in the competition. This gesture sent him straight through to the live shows, marking a historic moment for the talent show.
Fox’s journey to this point has been a long one. At 35 years old, he has been auditioning for Simon Cowell’s shows since he was 16. He expressed his relief and excitement, stating, "I’ve been auditioning for Simon’s show since I was 16. So, 19 years later, the stars aligned, and it was my time to show what I can do." His background includes performing at holiday parks and on the Blackpool cabaret circuit, and he hopes that this opportunity will lead to a career in London’s West End.
As news of Fox’s audition spread, reactions poured in from fans on social media. Many praised the spontaneity of the moment, with one user commenting, "The final audition on #BritainsGotTalent, the final Golden Buzzer being a man plucked from the audience, just proves that the show should revert to touring around the country and letting people just turn up. So much better and more authentic than recruiting global all-stars." Others speculated about the authenticity of the incident, prompting Cowell to address the skepticism directly.
In response to claims that the moment was staged, Cowell proposed taking a lie detector test to prove the authenticity of the event. "I think I should be wired to a lie detector machine in the future to prove I'm speaking the truth because when something like this happens, people instantly shout 'fix'," he stated. He emphasized that the incident was genuine, recalling how the security staff reacted to Fox’s approach. "I knew it was genuine because of the way the security team reacted. They were not twitchy and being hyper-vigilant. He looked like he was going to try and break onto the stage or get to me," Cowell explained.
As the series progresses, the anticipation builds for the upcoming live semi-finals, set to begin on April 26. This year’s Britain’s Got Talent has featured a diverse array of acts, including singers, comedians, and magicians. For the first time in the show’s history, the Golden Buzzer will be available during the live rounds, allowing judges and hosts Ant and Dec to send acts straight to the grand finale.
In a show that prides itself on unexpected moments and talent discovery, Max Fox’s story serves as a reminder of the dreams that drive performers to take risks and seize opportunities. Whether he succeeds in the competition or not, his journey has already left an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers and judges alike.
Britain’s Got Talent continues to air on Saturday nights at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this year’s competition.