AGT: All Stars, which premieres this Monday on NBC, features 60 past contestants, fan favorites, and champions from multiple Got Talent franchises. As a spin-off series, the program will see some of the best performers back on stage to showcase their skills as they compete for a $1 million cash award and the coveted title. Tom Ball, who previously performed on season 15 of Britain’s Got Talent in 2022, is one of the contestants expected to perform. Despite reaching the BGT final, the singer finished third behind Axel Blake.
AGT: All Stars competitor Tom Hall said during his audition for BGT that his students were unaware of his involvement in the program.
Tom Ball, who hails from West Sussex, was 23 years old at the time of the auditions. The high school teacher attended the reality show with his fiancé and said his kids had no idea he was on the show. He went on to say that most of them had no idea he could sing as he had only sung in one of his courses. Judge Simon Cowell asked him if there is any musician he thinks is as big as an AGT: All Stars competitor, to which the candidate said he has often compared himself to Michael Ball. He opened with Sam Smith’s Writing on the Wall, which drew a wave of applause from the crowd.
Even before he had finished, the audience stood and applauded along with Simon Cowell, who couldn’t stop grinning. After his performance, the entire jury, as well as the studio audience, gave him a standing ovation. Judge Amanda Holden described him as a “powerhouse” and said his audition was one of the “best things” they’d had in the past 16 years. Simon stated:
“There’s something endearing about you.”
He went on to say:
“I’m glad you’re here, I’m overjoyed.”
The entire panel voted yes, allowing him to advance to the semifinals, where he sang Conchita Wurst’s Rise Like a Phoenix. His performance struck everyone again and Alesha said he had a “calm inner confidence” that came through in his voice. The future AGT: All Stars contestant received the most votes from the public and went straight to the finals.
Tom briefly said before his performance that he enjoys his profession and loves to sing. He also said the most important thing he can teach his children is to “follow their aspirations.” Tom stated:
“A handful of young people said you inspired them, something you will never forget as a teacher.”
Tom sang I (Who Have Nothing) by Tom Jones in the finale, earning him another round of standing ovations. After his performance, David Williams said he wanted to start a Tumblr fan club and become the first paying member. Meanwhile, Alesha Dixon described his performance as “amazing”, while Amanda described it as “incredible” and “unforgettable”.
She continued and said:
“I’ll eat my k*ickers if you don’t get to the London Palladium before the end of the year.”
Simon Cowell was speechless but praised the performance. In the end, the next AGT: All Stars contestant came in third place in the public vote, behind only Axel Blake and Jamie Leahey. Tom will now once again take the stage as part of AGT: All Stars, which will air on NBC on Monday, January 2 at 8 p.m. ET. In addition, the episode will be accessible on Peacock the day after it is televised.
