Some auditions on Britain’s Got Talent become memorable because they completely change expectations within minutes. One of the most notable examples is Collabro’s performance in 2014.
The group consisted of five young men: Michael Auger, Jamie Lambert, Matt Pagan, Thomas J. Redgrave, and Richard Hadfield. They introduced themselves on stage as Collabro and explained that they had only been formed about a month earlier. This immediately created doubt among the judges, including Simon Cowell, who appeared unconvinced that such a newly formed group could deliver a strong performance.
Judge Alesha Dixon asked them directly what made them believe they could win Britain’s Got Talent with so little time together. The group responded with calm confidence, saying it was down to their “natural chemistry.” Amanda Holden reacted lightly to the exchange, smiling at their confidence.
They were then invited to perform.
Collabro began singing “Stars” from Les Misérables, a demanding musical theatre piece known for its emotional depth and vocal strength. From the first solo lines, the atmosphere in the room changed noticeably. The audience became silent as the group delivered controlled, theatrical vocals with clear harmonies and strong emotional expression.
Each member contributed solo sections before blending into powerful group harmonies. Their timing, balance, and vocal unity stood out, especially considering how recently the group had formed. As the performance progressed, the judges’ reactions shifted from skepticism to focused attention and then admiration. The audience responded with spontaneous applause before the song had even finished.
By the end of the performance, the theatre rose to a standing ovation, acknowledging the impact of what they had just witnessed.
The judges responded positively, with Amanda Holden describing the performance as “bloody brilliant,” reflecting the clear change in opinion from the beginning of the audition.
Collabro advanced successfully through the competition and went on to win Britain’s Got Talent 2014. Their audition performance of “Stars” gained widespread attention online and helped introduce musical theatre to a broader mainstream audience.
Their performance is often remembered for its combination of surprise, discipline, and emotional delivery, showing how quickly perceptions can change when a group demonstrates genuine vocal skill and unity on stage.
