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The 88-year-old veteran who sang for his late wife
Colin Thackery stands on the Britain's Got Talent stage in the red coat of a Chelsea Pensioner, medals on the left side of his chest. He's 88, and he has come to sing for Pauline. more
"I'm going to sing you a song that is dedicated, actually, to my late wife," he tells the judges. Her name was Pauline. Out in the audience sit friends of his in the same red uniform, watching him.
A piano starts, and the song is "Wind Beneath My Wings." Colin's voice is low and full of feeling. Sung by a man to the wife he lost, the first line hits a little harder than usual. "It must have been cold there in my shadow."
The crowd cheers him on through the verses, and people in the seats are crying and smiling at the same time. Near the end he sings "I would be nothing without you," and from him it sounds like plain fact.
When the song ends, the judges and the crowd stand up. Colin smiles and bows, looking out at a room full of people on their feet.
Save"It was just the most perfect tribute," one judge tells him, "and you sung with such heart." Another says he shows everyone it is never too late to do the things you love, and to sing about the people you love.
A third judge had never heard the words this way before. All the men and women who fought for their country are the wind beneath our wings. The last calls it sincere and real. "You are what the show is all about."
David starts the vote with "a very easy yes." The rest follow, and it's four yeses for Colin.
