Two BCA alumni are preparing to swap their agricultural expertise for the national spotlight as the Hawkstone Farmers Choir heads to the London Apollo for the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) on Saturday 23rd May.
Retired seed specialist David Smith and Somerset-based agricultural contractor Andy Fussell are part of the 32-strong choir that moved the nation and secured a historic Golden Buzzer from judge Amanda Holden during their emotional audition.
David, 69, spent over 40 years working closely with farmers as a seed specialist and advisor before joining the choir. For David, the BGT experience is the realization of a lifelong dream. He said: “The audition experience fulfilled a 40-year ambition which was to sing on a professional stage in front of a huge appreciative audience”.
Andy, 60, is a third-generation agricultural contractor who manages a diverse 650-acre enterprise in Somerset, including the award-winning Fussels’ Fine Foods rapeseed oil production. Andy, who has faced significant physical and mental health challenges due to the pressures of the industry, views the choir as a vital support network: “Being in the choir has meant finding community and making new friends and contacts in farming’s sometimes isolated situations”.
The BCA legacy even extends to the choir’s wider family, with member Grace Blackwell’s parents meeting whilst studying together at BCA.
The choir’s professional sound is the result of working with Musical Director Simon Gwilliam and Choir Director Lizzie Deane, who has described the process as “vocally herding sheep”. Lizzie’s “infectious positivity” helped transform the 32 farmers – many of whom had never performed in public – into a unified force that earned high praise from the BGT judges. Amanda Holden was moved by the “power” of the group, noting how hard these farmers “work every single day”.
Beyond the competition, the choir is dedicated to raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention in the agricultural sector. Farming is an often isolated profession, and the choir serves as a form of “social prescribing,” using the power of song to support its members through the “farming rollercoaster”. Should the choir win the £250,000 prize, they have committed to donating a significant portion to agricultural mental health charities.
The public holds the final decision on whether the choir proceeds to the Grand Final. You must register on the website before you can cast your vote, and each registered mobile number is allowed up to a maximum of five votes. Visit www.itv.com/vote and follow the instructions.
Everyone at BCA wishes the choir the best of luck at Saturday’s live semi-final! Britain’s Got Talent continues Saturdays on ITV1 and ITVX.
Thank you to the choir, who have sent over the photos for use on this article.
