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Opera singer is TV talent winner Opera singer is TV talent winner
(about 2 hours later)
Opera-singing phone salesman Paul Potts has won the final of TV variety show Britain's Got Talent.Opera-singing phone salesman Paul Potts has won the final of TV variety show Britain's Got Talent.
Potts, from Port Talbot, south Wales, beat six-year-old singer Connie Talbot, from Sutton Coldfield, who had wowed the judges, who included Simon Cowell.Potts, from Port Talbot, south Wales, beat six-year-old singer Connie Talbot, from Sutton Coldfield, who had wowed the judges, who included Simon Cowell.
The winner of the ITV1 programme, presented by Ant and Dec, also received a cheque for £100,000, and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance.The winner of the ITV1 programme, presented by Ant and Dec, also received a cheque for £100,000, and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance.
"The whole country has gone Paul Potts potty," said host Ant McPartlin. Some 11 million people saw the hopefuls perform in the show's live final.
Some two million people cast their vote in the final. Viewing figures dropped slightly to 10.6 million for the later results broadcast at 2200 BST, overnight audience figures show.
"The whole country has gone Paul Potts potty," said host Ant McPartlin who announced during the show that two million people had cast their vote.
Connie Talbot said she had taken no professional singing lessons
However, ITV has refused to confirm exactly how many phone votes it received.
Potts, 36, is a fan of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti and impressed judges with his version of Nessun Dorma.Potts, 36, is a fan of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti and impressed judges with his version of Nessun Dorma.
He first sang opera at the age of 28 for a karaoke competition when he dressed up as his idol.
Diverse finalistsDiverse finalists
Connie Talbot said she had taken no professional singing lessons Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Potts said he very nearly did not enter the competition.
"I almost didn't press the submit button when I applied online," he said.
"To get as far as I did - I really can't believe it."
Damon Scott impressed judges with his monkey puppet, BubblesPotts, who was told by Cowell that he would start recording his debut album next week, said: "It really proves that variety isn't dead. There's plenty of variety and lots of talent."
Saturday's semi-final also saw bottle-juggling pair the Bar Wizards go through to the final.Saturday's semi-final also saw bottle-juggling pair the Bar Wizards go through to the final.
The other finalists were Damon Scott, who performed with a monkey puppet, street dancers The Kombat Breakers, and 11-year-old singer Bessie Cursons.The other finalists were Damon Scott, who performed with a monkey puppet, street dancers The Kombat Breakers, and 11-year-old singer Bessie Cursons.
On Friday, impressionist Richard Bates was removed from the contest after police contacted producers to tell them he was on the sex offenders' register.On Friday, impressionist Richard Bates was removed from the contest after police contacted producers to tell them he was on the sex offenders' register.
ITV said Bates, who is due to be removed from the register next month, had agreed to step down from the show.ITV said Bates, who is due to be removed from the register next month, had agreed to step down from the show.