Doncaster's Colin 'Fingers' Henry misses out on Britain's Got Talent final

Legendary Doncaster upside down piano player Colin "Fingers" Henry has missed out on a place in the grand final of Britain's Got Talent.
Colin "Fingers" Henry.Colin "Fingers" Henry.
Colin "Fingers" Henry.

The veteran showbiz performer, 68, wowed judges on the hit ITV show last month after receiving four yes votes to progress in the competition which has a spot at the Royal Variety Performance for the winner.

But he has revealed that he has not been picked to perform in the live semi finals or finals which will begin next week.

Doncaster comedian Council Joe.Doncaster comedian Council Joe.
Doncaster comedian Council Joe.
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He said: "I went to the final judging at the London Palladium but didn't get through to live voting shows.

"It was a good experience and a bit of fun."

The comedy pianist from Barnby Dun left Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden open mouthed as he performed his trademark routine of playing the piano standing on his head which he has honed in pubs and clubs and on cruise ships for the last fifty years.

His name was shortened to simply Colin Henry on the show and he was ranked at 100-1 to win the show by bookmakers.

Doncaster comedian Council Joe.Doncaster comedian Council Joe.
Doncaster comedian Council Joe.

After flirting with Amanda, he revealed it had always been his ambition to appear at the Royal Command Performance and after his act, quipped: "I'll have to stop doing that - it hurts my fingers."

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The performer, who has rubbed shoulders with the likes of star names such as Bob Monkhouse, Norman Wisdom, Paul Daniels, Frankie Howerd and many more during his career, was among the hopefuls taking part in the annual ITV talent show.

The musician was picked to perform in the auditions at Liverpool Empire after impressing judges in an earlier audition at Doncaster Little Theatre where he performed his famed routine.

He said: “It has served me well. Even now, people are still gobsmacked when they see it. I’ve even got the world record for playing the piano upside down.”

National attention came when dad of four Colin appeared on TV talent show New Faces in 1974 - his routine earning him lucrative summer seasons across the UK with talented fellow South Yorkshire comedienne and singer Marti Caine.

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He is the second Doncaster performer in a week to miss out on the Britain's Got Talent final.

Last Saturday comedian Council Joe, whose real name is Michael Mulligan, appeared on the show - but his repetoire of corny gags failed to win over the judges, with all four buzzing him off within seconds of him starting his routine.

Michael, 40, a community worker from Thorne, donned a flat cap, hi-viz jacket and strode onto the stage clutching a litter picker but his gags failed to impress Cowell and Dixon with Holden and Walliams following with no votes seconds later.