Family pride at ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ star

Andrew received a standing ovation from all four judges, including Simon Cowell, and the audience when he belted out the 1980s hit “Somebody Else’s Guy” on the show on Saturday night.

And watching at their home in Wellfield Drive, Burnley, were Andrew’s proud parents, Dave and Debra, who had been kept in the dark about their son’s appearance.

Debra said: “We knew he was going in for ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ but that’s all he would tell us. He didn’t say how he had gone on or anything so when we watched the show we were blown away. We are so proud of him.

“He was just being himself, ‘our Andew’’ and I think that is what won everyone over. We are just keeping our fingers crossed now he gets into the semi-finals and further if he can.”

Staff and residents at Woodside Care Home, Padiham, where Debra works as a care worker, tuned into the show and window cleaner Dave has been inundated with good luck messages from customers.

Debra said: “This could be the big break Andrew has been waiting for.”

Andrew (31) grew up in Padiham but has lived in London for several years, appearing in a number of West End shows. He made his televsion debut aged 19 when he got down to the last 50 in “Pop Idol”, one of the first reality talent shows and Simon Cowell was a judge then.

He recognised Andrew on BGT and the singer was overcome when he told him he had a good voice but needed to tone down his cheesy style and not appear as desperate.

Andrew’s proud sister, Jodie Forrest, a hair stylist at the Vanilla salon in Padiham, said he had to wait nine hours before appearing on the BGT stage. She said: “Andrew was a nervous wreck but came across really well and you could see what a fantastic voice he has. In other shows he was always told to play it safe but now that he is finally himself he was a success.”

After “Pop Idol” Andrew was chosen for the lead role in the West End smash hit show “We Will Rock You”.

He has starred in several other shows, panto and corporate events but was always waiting for that big break to achieve his dream.