‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Winner Colin Thackery Signs Record Deal
Colin Thackery, war veteran and winner of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ 2019, made music history as he signed his first record deal at the age of 89.
Sergeant Major Colin Thackery, war veteran and winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2019, made music history yesterday as he signed his first record deal at the age of 89 – making him the oldest solo artist in the world to do so.
The army veteran and singer was photographed signing the deal on the roof of Decca Records’ London Headquarters dressed in his distinctive red Chelsea Pensioner’s uniform. Decca Records has partnered with SyCo Entertainment, the label of Britain’s Got Talent judge and producer Simon Cowell, for this collaboration.
“This is indeed a surprise and an honour and completely unexpected, I would like to thank my family for their continued support and the crew of Britain’s Got Talent for looking after me,” Colin Thackery said.
Rebecca Allen, President of Decca Records, remarked, “It feels so incredibly fitting that Colin should sign to Decca, in its 90th Anniversary year. The fact that Decca’s success started the year Colin was born, feels quite magical. He’s a unique artist and we are extremely proud to welcome him into our family.”
Simon Cowell said, “I could not be more thrilled that Colin, who won Britain’s Got Talent this year, has signed to the same label as Dame Vera Lynn. Colin is an inspiration to us all.”
Colin Thackery has been singing all his life but joined the army at the age of 15 and lost part of his hearing fighting in the Korean war. He has always had a passion for singing and has been bringing joy to friends and residents of the Royal Hospital Chelsea where he lives, for years, with regular singalong sessions.
He entered Britain’s Got Talent after a dare and dedicated his televised performances to his late wife Joan, who passed away in 2016. Over 10 million TV viewers watched Thackery win Britain’s Got Talent last month. His heartfelt renditions of ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’, ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and ‘Love Changes Everything’, will be featured on Colin’s debut album which will be released on 30th August (2019), to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September.
As Britain’s Got Talent’s winner, Thackery will also perform for the Royal Family at the prestigious Royal Variety Performance in November. After being a member of Her Majesty The Queen’s army for 25 years, he will now finally get to sing for her.
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