'Who would've thought?': Horndean woman reaches Britain’s Got Talent final with Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir
A woman from Horndean will compete in the final of an ITV competition
‘Who would’ve thought, a bunch of singing farmers are in the final?’ - Those are the excited words of a Horndean woman who will take to the ITV stage this weekend to battle it out for top spot.
Agriculture is in the spotlight once again as the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir reached the final of Britain’s Got Talent, with Gwen Woodruffe “over the moon” to be vying for the winning title.
The choir, which is formed of farmers from across the country, was established last year for a marketing campaign, promoting Jeremy Clarkson’s lager and cider brand - and has since become a national sensation after receiving the public vote in BGT’s semi-final.
After receiving Amanda Holden’s golden buzzer during the initial auditions, the group yet again mesmerised the audience with their moving rendition of Bastille’s Pompeii on Saturday, May 23.
Gwen, who works part-time at Butser Ancient Farm and Horndean Technology College, has spent her life immersed in the agricultural world after growing up on a farm in Yorkshire, and she said being part of the choir has been “incredible”.
The mum-of-one explained: “I’m over the moon. It is just unbelievable. What is going on? First the golden buzzer at auditions and now we are in the final. Last Saturday, we were in the semi-final, we were the last people on and there were eight other acts - some weird and wonderful - but Celestial got the golden buzzer so we knew we weren’t going to get it again, but we just sang our hearts out.
“We made it through with the public vote and it was really validating to be honest because with the golden buzzer, we knew Amanda Holden liked us, but did anybody else? So to know the public is behind us means a lot.
“All of the acts deserve to be in the final - we are just grateful to be here. For me, singing in the Albert Hall in front of the King would be the cherry on top - We want to win, of course we want it.
After securing their spot in the final, the choir celebrated in a nearby pub with judge, Amanda Holden, who is also from Hampshire, joining in on the festivities.
The choir now has a few days of rehearsals before going up against the likes of magician Rafferty Coope, poet Sonny Green, Celestial, singer Matty Juniosa, LMA Dance Group, Liqei Yang, comedian Ted Hill, magician Fabian Fox and Anastasiia and Salsa, in Saturday night’s showdown (May 30).
Gwen continued:“We’ve got a great song for the final, we’re going to make the nation cry with emotion and we are just thinking that if just one person is saved because they go and talk to someone, then that’s what it is all about.
“Farming has had such bad press so it is really nice to have something positive - When we had our semi-final rehearsals, we went to The Farmer’s Dog and Jeremy Clarkson was there and was chatting to us about everything. He has been incredibly supportive.
“We wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for him and he has done so much for farming and we are so grateful.”