A SINGER from Chester who wowed the judges on Britain’s Got Talent last Saturday had already been spotted by Chester talent scouts two years ago.
Alex Keirl, 20, of Biddicombe Park won the Piper pub X-Factor competition in Hoole back in 2011, organised by Chronicle-backed charity Miles of Smiles.
West Cheshire College student Alex was given four yes votes by judges David Walliams, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell, although the latter did question whether he had pitched the Les Misérables favourite Bring Him Home too high.
Speaking to The Chronicle after his national TV appearance Alex said: “I didn’t think it was too high. I was recovering from a cold so I was glad I got through it. I thought it did suit my voice and I made the song my own.”
The former Queen’s Park High School student spoke on the programme about being bullied when he was younger because of his love of singing.
He told The Chronicle: “At school, I did go through a hard time but I came through with my head held high. It can give you confidence and perhaps, without it, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Alex starred in school musicals including Hairspray, Grease and We Will Rock You.
His music teacher Clare Scanlon said: “I first met Alex when he was in Year 9 and he obviously had a lot of talent. As well as the musicals, he was also a keen member of our show choir and sang a solo at the Llangollen Eisteddfod when we entered for the first time.
“He even sang at my wedding last year in Hoole All Saint’s Church!
“I am really proud and pleased for him. All Alex has ever wanted to do is sing for a living and I hope this will lead to his dream.”
He described his Britain’s Got Talent audition as ‘quite surreal’.
He said: “I was there all day filming but I didn’t go on stage until 10.30pm.
“I was waiting backstage with some other contestants and the buzzer went off on stage. It was so loud!
“Ant and Dec were really lovely and when I actually got on stage, all my nerves disappeared.”
Following his success on Saturday, a fan tweeted: ‘Think a winner has been found’ and Alex has already been interviewed for national newspapers and appeared on ITV’s This Morning on Tuesday.
Asked how he would feel if he won the nationwide talent competition he said: “So far it’s been unbelievable. I am so happy and people have been leaving me lovely messages. My friends and family in Chester are really happy for me.
“My dream is to get a recording contract. It would be great to get the recognition and for people to respect me and my music. It would be an absolute dream.”
