CORONATION Street baddie Geoff Metcalfe made a surprise appearance in the first round of Britain's Got Talent auditions.
The actor who played the domestic abuser on the ITV soap, Ian Bartholomew, took to the stage yesterday to perform his own song, This Time.
All funds from the track will go to Women's Aid, which helps victims of domestic abuse – and he hopes being on BGT will help raise awareness of the issues involved.
He introduced himself to the audience and judges by saying: "I am from Cheshire. I was in Coronation Street. I played nasty Geoff Metcalfe. He was a nasty piece of work. I started in 2018 and I fell off a roof in the show last year. I am 67.
"The song I am singing I wrote myself and was used in a campaign by Women's Aid to raise awareness about domestic abuse. I am not here for me, I am here for the charity and the abused victims.
"The song came out of the first lockdown when cases of domestic abuse were going through the roof and three women were dying every two weeks and I was so angry and I still am.
"The song just came out and I approached Women's Aid and that is why I am standing here now as this programme has the most amazing reach."
The performance had onlookers overwhelmed and earned him four yeses – propelling him into the next round of the competition.
Judge David Walliams said: "You did it brilliantly and it is going to do loads of good by reaching out to people on TV and it will help the charity.
"The whole package is incredible and it is unexpected because you are an actor from Coronation Street and this is a very difficult subject. It worked very well."
OUTPOORING OF EMOTION
Meanwhile, fellow judge Amanda Holden suggested he be flanked by victims of domestic violence singing alongside him.
She said: "It would have a much bigger and better impact. Maybe it is something we can think about.
"I saw a woman here and she was in absolute bits and you are a champion for them.
"For me, it would work much better if you had some women with you and form some kind of choir if they are brave enough to stand with you.
"It is this odd concept of this man that we all know from Corrie singing about these poor women.
"I think it needs some coming out behind you so we can turn it into something even more stronger. The song is very beautiful."
Simon Cowell also praised him for taking a character in a dark storyline and trying to make something positive for the charity, but agreed with Amanda.
He said: "I thought good for you Ian, particularly someone who is known for doing something else to come on this show and put it all out there.
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"The song is pretty good and your vocal is pretty good. I think what I love about this show is the ability to see something grow and I am 100 per cent in agreement.
"We could help you put together a fantastic production as it is for me a female voice in that song. We could make it bigger to have a bigger impact. We could help you do that.
"In my head, I am seeing 50 or 100 voices out there, but brilliant voices and it needs a female lead in there with a huge ending – this is the beginning of something."
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