Innocent Masuku, an operatic tenor, has advanced to the grand final of Britain’s Got Talent after being branded “the best opera singer we have ever had” by judge Amanda Holden after his audition.
Masuku astonished the crowd and judges with a breath-taking performance of vocal virtuosity and a masterclass in power and control on the semi-final stage, performing Hans Zimmer’s epic score to Gladiator’s ‘Now We Are Free’.
“You took a song from a movie called Gladiator and performed it – it was like a triumphant hero!” cried judge Bruno Tonioli, who got to his feet for Masuku’s earth-shattering conclusion and remained there throughout the performance and judges’ commentary.

The command you have with language is astounding. It was impossible to distinguish between the beginning and end of [one statement]. utterly faultless!
The audience stood behind Tonioli and his colleagues judges, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Simon Cowell, as they gave him a standing ovation.

Regarding Masuku’s performance, singer Alesha Dixon concurred with Tonioli, asking, “How do you sum it up? The person to beat is you. Strong as a bull! I felt shivers running down my arm. enthralled with your abilities. Fantastic. utterly fantastic
Additionally, Masuku’s talent won far more people than just the judges. Social media was flooded with compliments for the 33-year-old artist.
Yes, innocent! One person commented, “They really do save the best for last.” Another said, “Goodness, Innocent—that’s made me shiver.”

Masuku is no stranger to the stage; earlier this year, she starred in The Barber of Seville, an opera performance presented by English National Opera, and was chosen as one of the organization’s Harewood Artists for 2023–2024, a specialized development program for the future generation of opera stars.
He has advanced to the Britain’s Got Talent season 17 final, bringing him one step closer to the £250,000 prize money and a place in the Royal Variety performance.