The father of Stowmarket Britain’s Got Talent finalist Matt Edwards has said his son deserved to get through the semi-finals.
The comedy magician, who got Ant and Dec’s golden buzzer in the audition stage, won through in last night’s semi-final to reach the shows finale.
Now dad, Alan Edwards, has been to a bookmakers for the first time in his life to back his son to win the talent show.
Mr Edwards senior, 65, said: “We are so grateful for the support he has had from everybody. It is terrific, and touching how many people are coming forward for him.
• Matt Edwards ‘overwhelmed’ by support“The act itself was brilliant. I have seen most of his stuff before, but that was the first time I had seen that.
“Of course I am biased, but money cannot pay for what I saw. It was fantastic and he deserved to go through, and we are really proud of him.
“It was quite a nervous moment when the results came in – there was some really cracking talent there and I would hate to judge it – but Matt held his own.”
The finale takes place on Saturday, and is broadcast on ITV1 from 7.30pm. It was due to be held on Sunday, but has been brought forward a day so as not to clash with the star-studded concert in Manchester being held to fundraise for the victims of the recent terrorist attack.
Family members will be at the event, with Mr Edwards senior, also from Stowmarket, saying he would walk there bare-foot if he had to.
Mr Edwards also revealed he had been to the bookmakers for the first time ever in his life to put money on his son – getting odds of 16/1, while his other son got 25/1.
But he is philosophical about the result of Saturday’s final.
“As Matt says, he has got further than he expected. Of course he would like to win, but he has achieved more than he expected and what will be, will be.
“It’s not about the prize money, it’s about the kudos and he would love to be at the Royal Variety Performance.
“This has been a great platform for him, and as Simon Cowell said it would be great if he was snapped up for a TV show.
“But he will never stop doing magic because he loves to make people smile, that’s why he does it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here