A 17-year-old musical magician has secured his place in the Britain’s Got Talent final after winning a tightly contested fourth semi-final held at the Hammersmith Apollo.
Rafferty, a student at Peter Symonds College, impressed both judges and viewers during a live broadcast that began at 6pm, with public voting closing at 7.47pm. Just minutes later, at 7.58pm, he was announced as the winner of the night and confirmed his place in the final of the popular Britain’s Got Talent airing on ITV1 and ITVX.
Following his victory, the young performer shared his excitement on social media, posting: “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!! I can’t thank everyone enough 💛💛💛 Bring on the finals! 🫶✨”
Rafferty first captured national attention during his audition, where he delivered a unique blend of music and magic that stunned the judging panel. His performance earned him a Golden Buzzer from judge KSI, sending him straight through to the live shows.
Reflecting on that moment, Rafferty said KSI’s support meant a great deal to him. “I’ve grown up watching him. He’s been a stable part of my childhood. Him getting in contact with me, giving me support, is just insane,” he said.
After his audition success, the teenager described the overwhelming reaction from the public. “The reaction has been absolutely incredible. I really cannot believe it. So much positivity, and I’m just so shocked and so proud,” he said. He also revealed that former teachers had reached out to congratulate him, which he described as especially meaningful.
On the semi-final stage, Rafferty’s performance once again left a strong impression on both the audience and judges. Judge Alesha Dixon praised his energy during the show, saying: “You are so talented you have more energy than the entire room.” KSI was also reportedly left speechless by the performance.
Beyond the stage, Rafferty’s journey has been a source of pride in his hometown of Winchester. A former chorister at Winchester Cathedral, he attended The Pilgrims’ School and Kings Worthy Primary School before continuing his studies at Peter Symonds College. He has long been involved in music and magic, previously winning Pilgrims’ Got Talent and being a member of the Young Magicians Club at the Magic Circle.
Ahead of the final, Rafferty shared his hopes for the £250,000 prize, saying he would like to invest in his future. “I would love to build a music studio, or I would love to buy a grand piano,” he said. “I’ve got an electric piano, and I consistently bug my parents, saying I’ve got to have a grand piano now. I would love to go to music college or drama college, and I think that would help.”
He also said his goal goes beyond winning. “My main goal for this show is to try and get people inspired to get into musical magic,” he explained, adding that he has already seen young people and even parents taking up instruments after watching him perform.
Rafferty topped the public vote ahead of strong competition including the Glantaf Boys Choir, Epic Sax Guy, and Kristel Herrera. Another finalist, poet Sonny Green, also secured a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell and will join him in the final, which airs on May 30.
Source: Hampshire Chronicle
