Remember that video I posted of the guy who worked as a cellphone salesman singing opera on “Britain’s Got Talent”? The man’s amazing singing coupled with his humble kind of sad personality made me bawl my eyes out.

Well today I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the guy, Paul Potts, won the competition. He is over £30,000 pounds in debt after being sick for two years and living off his credit cards, and will use his £100,000 winnings to pay off it off. He also says he’s going to get his teeth fixed so he’s no longer self-conscious when he smiles. He’s got a record deal, but is just not sure he’ll quit his job in a retail store yet!

“There are a few people who are going to want me to pay off some debts.

“Two years off sick knocks you for six when all you have to live on is your credit card.

“I had to work hard just to keep my head above water.

“I still can’t believe I’m in this position. I don’t know how long it’s going to take to sink in. At the moment it’s all a bit of a haze.”

He said of his job: “I’m a team leader at Carphone Warehouse but I don’t think anybody is expecting me back. I’ll just see what happens.”

His doleful expression, ramshackle appearance and booming voice have made him an unlikely national idol.

After opening the show with a stirring performance of Puccini’s Nessum Dorma, Potts, from Port Talbot, received a standing ovation from the live studio audience and was unanimously praised by the programme’s three judges, Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden.

After being declared the winner, Paul Potts was close to tears and said that performing for the Queen ‘means absolutely everything’.

He added: “I cannot believe it at all, I’m like jelly. Thank-you for believing in me, it is absolutely bonkers.”

[From Daily Mail]

Potts will perform in front of the queen at the Royal Variety Performance. His first performance on the show, which we also posted here, is now the most watched clip on YouTube!

Potts is due to be at work on Friday and has not yet given his notice. He will start recording his debut album tomorrow. He said “I still can’t believe it. I keep waiting for someone to pinch me and say, ‘Wake up, Paul, it’s time for work – you’re late again’.”

He shares a small two bedroom house with his wife of four years, Julie. He said that winning the competition wouldn’t change him, “I still remain an ordinary bloke. I am no better than other people – I just happen to have a different talent.”

Here is Pott’s winning performance:

Potts struggled to become well known in the opera scene for 10 years, won an earlier TV talent competition for £8,000 and even once performed for Pavarotti and was singled out for praise by the opera great. While some say he had an unfair advantage over the other contestants, including a 6 year old runner up, most think he won fair and square and clearly deserved to win.

Thanks to the Daily Mail for these pictures.