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'Britain's Got Talent' winner Potts to spend prize on a new smile
Last updated at 11:09am on 20.06.07For his first round television audition, he wore a £35 suit from the local supermarket.
Fortunately for Paul Potts, his rich, operatic voice proved somewhat silkier than the suit.
Now, with a bit of cosmetic dentistry, and a trip to a rather more up-market tailor, on the agenda, it won't be long until the showbusiness transformation is complete.
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Mobile phone salesman Paul Potts won Britain's Got Talent
Paul Potts hand in hand with his wife Julie. Mr Potts has vowed to use some of his winnings to give himself a makeover
Indeed, after scooping £100,000 as the first ever winner of ITV1's hit reality show, Britain's Got Talent, the 36-year-old mobile phone salesman hopes to use the money to get a smile like programme judge, Simon Cowell - and to boost his flagging confidence.
"I'd like to deal with the teeth because I do feel very self-conscious about them," he told the Mail.
"It'd be nice to feel less self-conscious and to be able to smile with confidence."
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Paul Potts hand in hand with his wife Julie. Mr Potts has vowed to use some of his winnings to give himself a Hollywood makeover
"I'm not sure about veneers but I do want to get the crown repaired. It would be nice to be able to smile naturally. I feel very self conscious about it at the moment.
"But whatever happens, I still remain an ordinary bloke. I am no better than other people - I just happen to have a different talent."
On top of a perfect smile, Britain's latest reality TV star says he will do everything he can to become the country's best opera singer.
Inspired by his idol Luciano Pavarotti, who once claimed that singing opera was like running a marathon, Potts has lost over a stone over the past eight weeks, having adopted a determined exercise regime.
Although he claims that he will never again wear his Tesco suit - which ensured that all three judges, Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden, described his image as 'appalling' - Potts, insists that he will not be having a 'Hollywood makeover'.
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Paul Potts as a chubby child. The singer insists: 'I'm not going to change who I am. I want to remain an Everyman'
"I vividly remember that doing that first audition in my cheap £35 Tesco suit and seeing Simon Cowell sitting there in his Armani," he added.
"I don't think I'll ever wear it again but it will always be a reminder of where I was and where I attempt to remain - except in better clothes.
"I'm wearing a Burton suit today and I expect to continue buying Burton. I'm not hung up on labels, or being seen in the right shops and the right clubs.
"I'm not going to be part of that crowd - I've no intention of being one of these people that has labels here, labels there, with artificial tendencies and caught up in superficial things. I don't think I'll ever be that Hollywood person.
"I'm not going to change who I am. I want to remain an Everyman.
"All of this stuff that's happening now is just mind-blowing, it's crazy. But all the support I've had - from the people I've worked with or sold mobile phones to, to the general public as a whole - has been so humbling.
"I still can't believe it. I keep waiting for someone to pinch me and say, 'Wake up, Paul, it's time for work - you're late again'."
Potts, who toasted Sunday night's success with a glass of champagne and two swigs from a bottle of beer, has yet to hand in his notice with the Carphone Warehouse where he has worked for the past two years.
Instead, he is due back at work on Friday. Julie, his wife of four years, meanwhile, is already back working at the call centre in Port Talbot where the couple share a small, two-bedroom home.
Since winning the final of Britain's Got Talent, which was watched by over 12 million viewers, Potts is set to sign a recording contract with Cowell's label, Sony Bmg.
He is also due to begin work on his first album on Thursday.
He has already secured his first professional gig, agreeing to perform alongside Welsh diva Katherine Jenkins at a one-off concert next month.
And, following Sunday night's success, he will, of course, be singing in front of the Queen as part of the celebrity line-up for the Royal Variety Performance later this year.
Reader views (17)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I wept like a baby, as did many in the audience when I heard Paul sing. I have never ever experienced such an emotional reaction . Paul, you are my hero. No-one is more deserving.
- Melanie, South Africa
Paul Potts is not a trained opera singer, why are the jealous critics saying this. I have been told by opera singers, it takes about 10 years to become an opera singer, training all day long and I doubt they will sing like he does after that. His voice is mesmerising, calming. The man himself is humble, gentle and modest, the likes of I have not met in showbiz, or anywhere much. The bullying he endured as a child still haunts him, you can tell how he talks about it. I hope it fades from his memory, but I doubt it. Stop the bullies in school or anywhere, lives are destroyed by it.
- Carol, Yorks.England
Paul Potts is doing too many shows. Pavarotti, mostly did one opera a month, because it affected his voice, he has had years of the best training. Bocelli, also does far less than Paul Potts, and does not talk on the day of a show. Paul's raw talent needs to get the best training, and he must look after his voice better.
- Laura, Leeds England
Amazing! You were bullied all of your young life and look what it did for you.
God works in mysterious ways Paul, and you are an inspiration to all the kids who were bullied, underachievers, shy and many others.
May your life be fulfilling; you most certainly deserve it.
- John, Altoona, Pa., USA
I am so taken by Paul and his amazing talent, but even more so for the courage it took for him to do that audition in front of so many people. He is everyman, but he is also a person we would all do better to be a little more like. Good luck with everything, Paul. You are a hero to many!
- Roni Carroll, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Just absolutely wonderful! I also felt goose bumps, tears and elation when he won.
- Sam, Cincinnati Ohio
I thought Paul was wonderful, the sound of his voice moved me.
- Eirwen Olsen, Caerphilly
Paul's voice possesses a rare quality, one that it is impossible to teach, but which matters most of all. He is able to move one to tears, and many many "good" singers cannot do this. I wish him great success.
- Kathleen Braithwaite, Carnforth England
Well I couldn’t believe it when i saw Paul on stage I was a bit dubious after some of the other people who "thought" they'd got talent, but as soon as he opened his mouth to sing he made all the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and Amanda wasn't the only woman to be crying! When the night of the final came I knew Paul would win hands down. Paul you have a fabulous talent and I hope you go far in this world, make sure you enjoy every moment.
- Vicki P, Pontefract
I have always loved opera but have never been so moved as when I heard and saw this unassumung man heartfully carress the sounds out of his body. Thank you Paul Potts for bringing new life to my listening pleasure.
- Keith Watson, Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada
This guy is unreal!
When he first walked on stage, his mannerisms suggested that he would be useless. I was absolutely speechless when he'd finished. Nessun Dorma is one of my favourite pieces of music and Paul delivered impeccably with emotion and grace, making every hair on my body stand on end. You can't buy that feeling!
A real gent - best wishes Paul.
- Luke W, London, England
Well what can I say about this guy, when he first came on stage I had my doubts, but wow what a voice, I couldn't believe the sound that was coming from this guys mouth, he was awesome, made the hairs on my arms stand up, and also a tear in my eye, which I didn't think I was capable of. All I can say is go for it Paul, you're excellent. After hearing this guy I just knew he would win.
- Bill, Wigan, United Kingdom
WOW! What an amazing voice...goes with the amazing person who has this amazing talent! First impressions of this humble man are very deceiving, no airs about this guy. What we loved about Paul was he didn't seem to realize what a brilliant voice he had, shy kind of guy who thought things like that didn't happen to people like him!. Well it has, thoroughly deserving of his win. "congratulations Paul", may all your dreams come true!
- The O'Neill Family, Runcorn, Cheshire
I think that Paul Potts is a fantastic talent and he seems a very genuine person which is as important as his voice. Well done.
- Zak, Beverley, England
The right one won, he's BRILLIANT...
- Ian Farrow, Burnley, England
I loved the show, it was a refreshing change. I wanted Paul Potts or Kombat Breakers to win so I was very pleased with the result. Congrats to the big man with the big voice!
- Rd, Glamorgan, UK
Whether he had received professional tuition or otherwise, does not detract from the fact that in the past he failed to get the recognition that he so rightly deserves, this show gave him the ideal platform. His appearance made him look that much more of a genuine person, and I hope that he stays that way(the way he will always be remembered). Good luck to him and the other finalist. As far as TV shows of this nature are concerned 'Britain's Got Talent' has been by far the best and was a great TV show to watch. The Judges played their part and brought a new freshness to the meaning. Congratulations to ITV.
- Terence Parker, Isle of Sheppey
