A HEADTEACHER from Hartlepool and his school choir have become the first to get a golden buzzer in the new series of Britain’s Got Talent.
David McPartlin, who runs Lancashire’s Flakefleet Primary School, led his pupils in a choreographed performance of Don’t Stop Me Now, by Queen, on the popular talent show.
The rendition earned them a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams, who was left in floods of tears.
Walliams became the first judge on the new series to hit the golden buzzer, which released gold confetti on the school choir and earned them a place in the next round.
At the end of 2018, headteacher David, who was born and raised in Hartlepool, attempted to reach the coveted Christmas number one single slot with a song inspired by his grandmother.
Doreen Ritchie has lived at Queens Meadow Care Home, on Stockton Road, Hartlepool, since 2016, when she was diagnosed with dementia.
The Flakefleet Primary School song, “Light Up”, reached as high as number 2 in the iTunes charts and all proceeds went to the Alzheimer’s Society in honour of Doreen.
David, who regularly visits the home with his three children, and his pupils also travelled almost three hours and 130 miles to perform the song at Queens Meadow Care Home.
He said: “I didn’t know much about dementia. Now I want to raise awareness.
“She is still with us but she is bedridden and doesn’t know who I am. Life is pretty tough for everybody.”
David’s mother, Kath McPartlin, who still lives in Hartlepool, said: “I am so proud of him and everything he has done for that school.
“It is in quite a deprived area, so David and the other teachers are always trying to find ways to inspire the pupils.
“The school regularly visits their local care home and David’s grandmother is at Queens Meadow Care Home, which is why they chose the Alzheimer’s Society.”