Harry Gardner who reduced the Britain’s Got Talent judges to tears with a song about his beloved grandmother and her battle with Alzheimers has made a heartbreaking confession.
The 16-year-old, who won a place on the next round of the popular talent show after singing Not Alone, has revealed she passed away a few days before the audition aired.
Harry paid tribute to his beloved grandmother on Facebook posting:
So sad to say my nan, one of the most influential people in my life, has passed away.
Thank you to everyone who has supported my song Not Alone which was written about her and is continuing to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Goodnight nan x.
Not Alone was written last year after his grandmother, Maureen, forgot who he was which left Harry devastated as the pair we’re very close. The song which is about his memories of her helped Harry and his family cope with the changes they saw in Maureen.
Harry will now perform Not Alone at Maureen’s funeral in two weeks, a performance which he claims is going to be more difficult for him than anything he’s done with BGT.
He said:
To be honest that’s going to be the most difficult performance for me, because that’s when the song is going to mean so much. I’m more nervous about that.
Harry released the song on YouTube last year to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK and has so far managed to raise over £9,000, if you’d like to donate you can do so here.
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.