If Susan Boyle was confirmation that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, then Jonathan Antoine should be the definitive proof of the sentiment.The shy 17-year-old was the talking point of Saturday night's series opener of Britain's got Talent.
Commentators immediately make comparisons with Susan – who has gone on to worldwide success after having the last laugh over judges who dismissed her at first glance. But Jonathan was quick to play down suggestions he was the new Susan. "What I don’t want is to be roped into a category with other people," he told The Mail on Sunday.
He added: "I wasn’t too worried about appearing on Britain's Got Talent, because I wanted to show people the singing. "If anything I was hoping that because I don’t look like a typical person who’d be in the limelight, it would help. I’d like to show that a person is more than a body."
In the clip from the show, Simon Cowell can be seen saying "just when you think things can't get any worse…" as the teenager walks out onto stage with his singing partner Charlotte Jaconelli. But the music mogul changes his tune when the music starts and the pair launch into a powerful rendition of Celine Dion and Andrea Bocellis hit The Prayer."
Charlotte, you are good. But Jonathan, you are unbelievable. I mean seriously you have an outstandingly good voice. You are a future star," says the head judge.