Tia Connolly was convinced by her mum to audition for Britain’s Got Talent (Picture: Dymond/ Thames/ Shutterstock)
Britain’s Got Talent viewers have been touched after a mother gave up her audition so her teenage daughter could try her luck.
On the latest episode of the reality series, which aired on Saturday, Claire from Liverpool took to the stage and started chatting to the four judges before revealing that she didn’t actually want to be there.
Instead, she said she’d come along so her daughter Tia could perform.
‘She thinks it’s me who’s auditioning. She’s got me through some very hard times in my life and I feel like I owe her, so I’m giving my audition up for my daughter,’ she shared.
‘This is my way of saying she’s fabulous because she deserves it and she’s an incredible person.’
The surprise took Tia, 15, off guard, and she was visibly shocked by what she was hearing while standing backstage with Ant and Dec.
She was sent through to the next round after impressing the judges (Picture: Dymond/ Thames/ Shutterstock)
Speaking about how she was more than happy to sing in the shower, but was nervous about doing so in front of the judges and thousands of people, Tia was given the chance to have a breather before coming back out.
When her time came, the schoolgirl belted out I Didn’t Know My Own Strength by Whitney Houston, a song she later explained helped her get through times when she was bullied ‘for the colour of my skin’.
‘A lot of people picked on me a lot and that’s song helped me and also my mum is the strongest person I’ve ever met, so I want to dedicate it to her as well,’ she said.
Amanda Holden said Tia had ‘absolutely smashed it’ and had a ‘massive career’ ahead.
Meanwhile Bruno Tonioli said she had an ‘incredible quality because you were singing from your soul’.
Following her audition, Simon Cowell said: ‘That’s how you do it.’
‘I really love moments like this, you didn’t know you were going to audition, your mum set you up, I’ll just sing Whitney Houston then, like it’s normal,’ he said.
Viewers watching along at home were also impressed.
‘Sometimes performances speak for themselves and Tia just nailed it. She is incredibly talented, the beauty she doesn’t know how brilliant she is. Loved it. Outstanding,’ one person posted on Twitter.
Another added: ‘She has an amazing voice. Aw she dedicated the song to her mum. She is an amazing singer! Definitely one of the best surprises she has ever had.’
BGT fans watching at home were impressed (Picture: Twitter)
Many had kind words to say (Picture: Twitter)
Others were amazed at her confidence and control (Picture: Twitter)
Viewers loved the result of the surprise (Picture: Twitter)
Tia is now through to the next round (Picture: Twitter)
Addressing Claire, Simon said it was ‘sweet’ what she did for her daughter.
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‘I’m guessing without you doing that she wouldn’t have auditioned. I absolutely loved this audition,’ he added.
All four judges sent Tia through to the next round.
Britain’s Got Talent continues on Sunday at 8pm on ITV.
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‘She’s got me through some very hard times in my life and I feel like I owe her.’