Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir Triumphs as Drone Act Celestial Stuns in BGT Semi-Final
Fans were left captivated on Saturday night as the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir secured their place in the Britain’s Got Talent final, alongside drone performers Celestial, who advanced via a surprise joint Golden Buzzer. The semi-final delivered both heartwarming moments and unexpected drama, sparking a flurry of online discussion.
The choir, led by Simon Gwilliam and Lizzy Dean, was originally formed by former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson. Initially assembled to appear in an advert for Clarkson’s Hawkstone beer range, the group quickly grew into a 32-member ensemble performing to raise awareness of loneliness and mental health issues among farming communities.
Performing Elbow’s One Day Like This, the choir impressed judge Amanda Holden, who activated the Golden Buzzer to send them through to the live shows. Simon Cowell had previously hinted that the group was “tipped to win,” yet the members, aged between 27 and 74, were visibly stunned by the announcement.
Speaking to hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the choir emphasised that their mission goes beyond music. Clarkson, watching for the first time, shared on social media, “I actually welled up… to see them on that stage with all that love in the room made my heart sing. They’re just fantastic.”
Meanwhile, judges surprised viewers with a rare joint Golden Buzzer, propelling Celestial directly to the final. Alesha Dixon described their performance as “one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen on this show,” while Cowell called it “an incredible production.” Fans, however, expressed mixed feelings about the twist on social media, questioning the logistics and fairness of the decision.
The choir’s appearance coincides with the upcoming fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm, promising more uplifting moments despite the darker tone of the new season. Additionally, their record The Banned One is raising funds for the mental health charity Shout, supporting farmers’ wellbeing.
Clarkson added, “These guys work incredibly hard for incredibly small rewards… to see them celebrated like this is fantastic. I’m a very happy man tonight because the choir is fab. That’s it.”
While the Golden Buzzer twist divided fans, the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir continues to win hearts — delivering both inspiration and entertainment for a cause that truly matters.
