Jeremy Clarkson's Farm Choir has turned Britain's Got Talent into one of the most unexpected television stories of the season.
The Hawkstone Farmers' Choir won the 19th season of the ITV competition on Saturday, May 30, taking home £250,000 and a place at the Royal Variety Performance. ITV confirmed the choir beat out second-placed drones Celestial and third-placed dogs Anastasiia & Salsa.
According to multiple reports, the result made the Clarkson-backed farming group the first choir to win the show. Britain's Got Talent . Moreover, the finale was more memorable than the standard surprise based on audience voting: the choir used the opportunity to speak out in defense of farmers and mental health issues in rural areas.
The choir won by performing an original song.
In the finale, the Hawkstone Farmers' Choir performed their original song "This Is Home." Clarkson was visibly moved in the audience during the group's performance.
The choir's victory was the result of a season that focused on more than just the novelty of farmers performing on a talent show stage. During the competition, the participants spoke about isolation, long working hours, grief, and the need for agricultural workers to speak more openly about their struggles.
After the results were announced, choir member Katrina Shell said the victory was "dedicated to all farmers," according to The Irish News. She also urged those experiencing difficulties to speak out.
The pairing with Clarkson made the win even more special.
The choir's connection to Clarkson helped make the performance a talking point before the final. LADbible reported that the group initially formed as a Hawkstone-related project and later expanded its activities with a broader purpose.
This origin might have given the impression that it was a celebrity-sponsored stunt. However, the final version of the story left a different impression, as the choir placed the focus of its participation in BGT farmers, rural isolation and mental health issues.
Clarkson's endorsement still drew additional attention to the victory. The former presenter Top Gear and the star show "Clarkson's Farm"« has become one of the most recognisable figures on British television relating to agriculture, and his presence in the audience created a sense of connection between the finale and this wider social image.
As a result of a popular vote, laws regarding drones and dogs were repealed.
Ultimately, Hawkstone Farmers Choir beat out Celestial, who performed a drone demonstration, and Anastasiia & Salsa, who performed with dogs. In the official ITV announcement, they placed second and third, respectively.
Not everyone was happy with the result. LADbible reported boos in the audience when singer Matty Junioso and dance group LMA didn't announce the final results.
The winner was still determined by viewer vote. According to ITV voting rules, the contestant with the most valid votes wins, with judges intervening only in the event of a tie.
The win sends a message to agriculture at the Royal Variety Show.
As a prize, the choir will be given the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance, which will give the group another national stage after the final. BGT .
The next performance is significant because the choir's identity is directly tied to rural life, not just Saturday night entertainment. The group's victory brings a message about rural mental health to an audience far beyond Clarkson's fans or regular viewers. show "Britain's Got Talent"« .
The final may be remembered for its surprise result, but the choir's more significant achievement was turning a celebrity-driven performance into a victory won by a popular vote of farmers who wanted to be heard.