Golden Buzzer for Electric Umbrella on Britain’s Got Talent

TV viewers were treated to tears of joy and scenes of heart-lifting celebration as a Hertfordshire charity achieved a Golden Buzzer on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.

Watford and Hemel Hempstead-based Electric Umbrella, accompanied by pupils from Sarratt Primary School, were voted straight through to the semi-finals after wowing the judges and bringing the audience to its feet with a joyful performance of their original song ‘Acceptance’ in their audition, broadcast on 22nd March

The judges were united in their acclaim and admiration for the performance by the charity, which was founded by musician Tom Billington and art therapist Mel Boda.

“So heartwarming, so inspiring, you have all my love, respect and admiration,” said Bruno Tonioli, while fellow judge Alesha Dixon said: “This was a brilliant act and everyone of you did an incredible job today. I loved it.”

“What pours out of you as well is the friendship and the joy that’s on this stage,” said Amanda Holden. “I felt it from every single one and yet everything you stand for is just brilliant. What an amazing day for us that you came here.”

The final verdict was delivered by Simon Cowell, who was visibly moved and said: “I feel a wave of goodness here. Everything about this was good. What it stands for, what you did, for me this is was like being in a movie. It was just spectacular.

“The only I suppose downside to this is I don’t have any golden buzzers left, however…”

Simon then reached across and, breaking the rules of the talent show, pressed his second Golden Buzzer of the series to send Electric Umbrella through to the semi-finals.

There were tears of joy as Cowell joined the performers on stage, telling Tom: “Well done kiddo. What a great thing you’ve done. Seriously, that was spectacular.”

“This is more than just a performance—it was a moment we’ll never forget,” Electric Umbrella said in a statement on their website.

“Our incredible musicians stepped onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage and poured their hearts into a performance that had the entire audience on their feet. With a song that spoke to the power of possibility, they didn’t just win over the crowd—they moved the judges too, leading to a Golden Buzzer moment that sent us straight to the live semi-finals.

“Tears of joy, cheers, and pure celebration filled the room as golden confetti rained down, marking a milestone we never imagined. But this isn’t just about us. This is about showing the world that there really is No Such Thing as Normal.”

Introducing Electric Umbrella as a “rock and roll band from Watford” at the audition in Blackpool, Tom said: “We use music to pull communities together and to make the world a more inclusive place.”

Asked by Simon what their “big dream” is, Tom replied: “The dream is that organisations like us shouldn’t have to exist. There should be a space for everybody, in every part of the community.”

Electric Umbrella became a registered charity in 2016, three years after it started on its journey.

Founded by Tom and Mel, the charity emerged from the recognition that there were few opportunities for learning disabled people to take to “the stage”.

Tom and Mel began by delivering workshops across Herts, raising small amounts of money through crowdfunding initiatives and busking opportunities.

Within two years, the pair had delivered hundreds of hours of music workshops, performed to thousands at gigs, and held a summer festival, Umbrellafest.

The company’s work continues with professional musicians and a small team of volunteers teaching children.

Robert Voss CBE, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, is the proud patron of Electric Umbrella.

He said: “When I first saw Electric Umbrella perform nearly six years ago and met Mel and Tom I knew that somehow I simply had to get involved with this amazing group of people.

“When Mel asked me if I was interested to become their patron I said an immediate ‘Yes’ for how can you not love the spirit, enthusiasm, happiness and love that exudes from everyone involved. And now I have got to know some of the members I love them even more.

“Presenting them with the coveted Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (the MBE for volunteers) in 2022 was recognition of the fantastic impact Electric Umbrella has had on the community of Hertfordshire and beyond.

“Getting a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent is simply more icing on the huge cake and testimony to the joy and love felt by anyone lucky enough to have seen them perform live.”

Story courtesy of Herts Advertiser