Britain's Got Talent has changed the lives of many winners over the years, but not all are still reaping its rewards.
The hit ITV talent competition is back to find Britain's best act as they hope to take home the £250,000 prize money alongside a coveted spot on the Royal Variety Performance. This year's performers will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of many winners who came before them that have gone on to become millionaires thanks to their talents.
Some pervious winners have carved out successful careers in showbiz, landed huge deals and a very healthy bank balance. Yet some were not so lucky, with acts no longer in the public eye and leading a much quieter life since their stint on the show. Here is a look at where all the previous winners are now...
Paul Potts
The former mobile phone salesman wowed the nation with his vocals back in 2007. He was crowned the first ever winner of Britain's Got Talent and bagged the £100,000 prize fund. Paul went on to have a chart-topping album followed by a tour in 2008. He has since released four more albums, a memoir and made multiple TV appearances. Paul has a staggering net worth of £8 million and continues to live in a £450,000 Port Talbot home.
George Sampson
He was just 14 when he became the second winner of BGT in 2008. George's street dance moves took him onto his West End stage debut and he went on to release music and dance DVDs while continuing to perform. He has worked on Waterloo Road, Casualty, and Emmerdale. George's net worth hasn't been revealed, but is thought to be in the millions.
Diversity
The dance group beat Susan Boyle to the top spot in 2009 and have had huge success. They have toured the UK and name numerous TV appearances as well as launching their Diversity Studio. Choreographer Ashley Banjo has had a successful solo career and is now a judge on Britain's Got Talent. According to Wealthygenius.com, his net worth is estimated at $1.5 million as of 2021 which is equivalent to just over £1 million.
Spelbound
The gymnastic group stunned audiences with their jaw-dropping stunts and even performed at the London Olympics closing ceremony in 2012. However, since their Royal Variety Performance, Spelbound have largely faded from the public eye. The net worth of the group is not known.
Jai McDowall
Scottish singer Jai wowed viewers with his vocals in 2011 and took home the £100,000 prize. He went on to release a debut album with Syco Music, but was dropped just months later following poor sales. Jai has since joined group G4 and his net worth is not public.
Ashleigh and Pudsey
When they won in 2012, the much-loved duo were thought to be worth £10 million. They went on to sign a six-figure book deal and Pudsey starred in his own feature film as well as the TV adaptation of David Walliams' book Mr Stink. Padsey sadly died in 2017, while Ashleigh has continued to perform with dog Sully.
Attraction
Hungarian shadow group Attraction were the first non-British act to win the show. They had success in a live TV advert, a stint in Vegas as well as several live theatre productions. The group's net worth is not known publicly yet they still continue to perform and appeared on America's Got Talent: The Champions last year.
Collabro
The group were formed just a month before their audition but saw their first album Stars head straight to number one after the show. Their second album went to number two and Collabro have toured the UK, Japan, Canada and the US. In 2022, the band announced they were no more and embarked on a Farewell Tour.
Jules and Matisse
The duo became the second dog act to become victorious on the show and took home £250,000. Their win became shrouded in controversy after it was revealed another dog that looked exactly like Matisse also took part in the act. Despite Ofcom complaints, they were still allowed to perform at the Royal Variety Performance but with a new name, Jules, Matisse and Friends. Jules has stayed out of the spotlight and used the money to marry her girlfriend Marie. They now live in Belgium and is not know if they are still performing.
Lance Corporal Richard Jones
The magician used his prize money to buy his home outright. Winning the show increased Richard's bookings as a magician and he revealed he's been booked for "high profile events around the world". Speaking to This Is Money, he said: "The most I was ever paid was for a show in the Ritz Carlton in Saudi Arabia in 2019. I earned a substantial five-figure sum for a performance – I'd rather not say how much, but it worked out at roughly £1,000 a minute."
He started to flash the cash and admitted he didn't keep an eye on his money while eating out every night and taking taxis to London from Essex. Richard confessed he is now more careful and takes the train into the capital instead.
Tokio Myers
The musician released his debut album in 2017, which was certified gold in 2021. He was featured on Simon Cowell's charity single Bridge Over Troubled Water, in aid of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. Tokio has three Classical Brit Awards including Album of the Year and his net worth is reportedly in the millions.
Lost Voice Guy
Lee Ridley was the first comedian to be crowned a Britain's Got Talent winner and went on to star in Radio 4 sitcom Ability, which he co-wrote. The comedian released his own book and has a range of merchandise for sale alongside regular tour dates. According to Celebs Age Wiki, Lee has an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $5 million.
Colin Thackery
The 2019 winner went on to release his debut single Love Changes Everything in 2022, which reached number 13. He returned to the show in 2022 for a special Platinum Jubilee performance. The 94-year-old has stayed out of the spotlight since the show and his net worth has not been revealed.
Jon Courtenay
The comedy singer admitted the prize money came at the best time for his family as he had no savings. He revealed he was set to spend the money of paying his overdraft. It is believed Jon now has a net worth of $2 million.
Axel Blake
Since winning the show in 2022, Axel has performed around the country as well as at London's 02 Indigo, which aired on Amazon Prime. His net worth is not know, yet is estimated to be in the millions.
Viggo Venn
The Norwegian comedian took home the prize last year and revealed he was once making £10 a gig. He bagged the £250,000 prize and now has an estimated net worth of $500, 000 – $1 million.
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