'I really believe that we have discovered a star'

Comedian Axel Blake has won Britain's Got Talent, taking home £250,000.

On being named winner, the 33-year-old Londoner said: ‘Words can't even explain. I am shaking. I can't believe it.’

The comic, who had been Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer choice, now gets the chance to perform at the Royal Variety performance.

After Blake’s routine on tonight’s final, Cowell said: ‘I feel really emotional for you right now... I really believe that we have discovered a star and I could not be happier.’

David Walliams told him the performance was 'completely flawless', adding: 'You're a superstar, mate, well done.'

Amanda Holden said that as well as his comedy 'you're just a gorgeous person as well. I feel  want to take you away and have a drink with you out there and I'm sure we'd get on. I loved your whole act tonight.'

Blake becomes the third comedian to win the ITV  talent show, following Lost Voice Guy in 2018 and Jon Courtenay in 2020.

By day he is a property maintenance manager and he is father to a  13-year-old son named Nyron - who joined him on stage after his victory was announced tonight - and a young daughter.

Before Britain's Got Talent he made comedy videos online. But in 2016 he played the O2 and released the show as a special entitled I'm Not Gonna Lie on Amazon's Prime Video, which lead to some viewers complaining the BGT title had gone to a professiona.

Here's the moment he found out he had won: 

And here is his winning performance: 

Child ventriloquist Jamie Leahey was runner-up with his chicken puppet Chuck, and third place went to singing teacher Tom Ball. Other finalists included  14-year-old stand-up Eva Abley. 

Published: 5 Jun 2022