Paddy and Nico already favourites to win Britain's Got Talent after winning Spanish version in 2009


April 12, 2014

Britain's Got Talent contestants Paddy and Nico went down a treat during the show's return to the small screen on Saturday night.

The dancing duo, who are made up of Salsa-loving grandmother Paddy Jones, 79, and 39-year-old Nico Espinosa, impressed the judges and public alike with their routine and are already favourites to win.

Paddy and Nico's appearance in the competition surprised some, however, as the partners stormed to victory on a similar Spanish talent show Tu Si Que Vales five years ago.

In 2009 Paddy, then 75, and Nico, then 35, won a €10,000 prize but now have their sights set on winning BGT to perform for the Queen at the Royal Variety Show.

In the same year as their Spanish TV win, Stourbridge native Paddy, who is now based in Spain, entered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest salsa acrobatic dancer.

Paddy responded to critics who said she and Nico shouldn't be allowed to enter the competition after their previous talent show success.

"We were picked by the producers but it was our own idea," she said. "

Britain's Got Talent is a nice change from doing things on Nico's side in Spanish-speaking countries. "We have come along to BGT to enjoy ourselves," she added. "And we are."

Judge Simon Cowell revealed that his affection for the pair stemmed from Paddy's similarity to his own mother Julie.

"Mum's in her 80s and she can still dance – like Paddy," said Simon. "When I saw Paddy audition I thought, 'She’s just like my mum'."She is a great feel-good inspirational story," he added. "I would be happy if Paddy won."

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more