Nora Barton made history in 2020 as the oldest act to appear on Britain’s Got Talent. At the age of 96, she delivered a moving and inspiring performance. Despite having Alzheimer’s disease (a type of dementia) and requiring assistance on stage from her daughter and presenter Ant Macfarlane, Barton rose to the occasion and demonstrated that she still had singing talent at such a late age.
Pam, Barton’s daughter, accompanied her on piano. Pam answered Amanda Holden’s questions by explaining that her mother had “sung to people all her life, so at ninety-six, this is a treat.” Pam began the piano introduction for the traditional song “The Loveliest Night of the Year,” with Barton leaning against the piano for support. This song was transformed from a Victorian instrumental waltz into a vocal song for the 1950 musical “The Great Caruso.”
After Barton sang her first line, the audience was moved into applause. As she hit the high notes in the middle, Dec. Donnelley turned to the camera and remarked, “She’s into it now, eh?” As she reached the song’s high-pitched crescendo, the judges and audience alike stood to show appreciation for what they had just enjoyed. Pam pointed out the standing ovation to her mother, who took in the scene with wonder.
The judges were gushing in their admiration for the veteran singer. “You’re a very special lady. You’ve just entertained the nation,” David Walliams told her. Alesha Dixon commented, “Once a show woman, always a show woman.” Amanda Holden was next, telling Barton that she was emblematic of the “generation this country is built on.” Finally, Cowell gave his verdict. “I didn’t like you much,” he said, pausing for the audience to respond with pantomime booing. Then he added, “I love you.”
Unsurprisingly, she received a yes from all of the judges, securing her spot in the next round. Cowell joked that it wasn’t just the four judges who said yes, but also the four thousand people in the audience. She didn’t advance to the semi-finals, but her audition was a brilliant success. Barton, from Brighouse, West Yorkshire, died in January of the following year at the age of 97.