VIEWERS will learn this weekend if a young performer from St Helens who dazzled judges on Britain's Got Talent has made it through to the live shows.

Jamie Leahey, from Rainford, received a standing ovation from the Britain's Got Talent crowd and judges for his ventriloquist performance, which aired in April.

This weekend will see the final round of auditions shown - meaning this year's cohort will then be whittled down to just 40 acts, according to the Radio Times.

The remaining contestants will then perform in the upcoming BGT semi-finals – which begin with the live shows on Monday, May 30 at 8pm.

St Helens Star:

 

When are the live shows?

Star readers will be hoping to see Jamie get the nod through to the final. He is currently 20-1 with some bookmakers to win the overall title.

The semi-finals will run at 8pm from Monday to Friday, with the judges and the public picking two acts to go through to the final every night.

This will lead up to the BGT 2022 final at 7.30pm on Sunday, June 5 on ITV.

Ten finalists compete to be crowned the 2022 BGT winner.

The winner will secure a cash prize of £250,000 and a spot at this year's Royal Variety Performance.

Jamie did 'St Helens proud'

When his audition aired in April, many Star readers - impressed by Jamie's talent and confidence at the age of 13, stated that he "did St Helens proud".

The youngster is a part of the Knowsley-based Divine Theatre Company and also receives singing lessons in Rainford.

With a love of Coronation Street and Benidorm, he began acting at the Dream Academy of Arts in St Helens at the age of six.

Prior to his ventriloquist performance on Britain's Got Talent, the 13-year-old has performed in pantomimes at St Helens Theatre Royal and Liverpool Empire Theatre, as well as in school shows at Rainford High.

Speaking to the Star in April about his experience on Britain's Got Talent, Jamie said he is "made up" that everything went so well.

St Helens Star: Jamie with his puppet ChuckJamie with his puppet Chuck

Jamie said: "I was a bit nervous before the audition because it was one of the biggest audiences I've ever performed in front of.

"But I was also excited for it because I was confident with what I had planned."

Despite only picking up ventriloquism during lockdown by watching Youtube videos, Jamie was sent through to the talent show's next round with a resounding four 'yes' votes from judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, David Walliams, and Alesha Dixon.

Jamie's mum Marie, who owns the Pear Tree Cafe in St Helens town centre, added: "We are extremely proud of Jamie. 

"He works really hard, but he loves it so much."