CityLife

Main event: Britain's Got Talent Live 2010

Spelbound 1 / 3 images

MEN Arena - June 19, 2010

If reality television has proved nothing else, it’s that the UK population has an insatiable appetite to be rich and famous. Even former Big Brother housemates are worth millions, confirming that a foot up into the big time is easier to achieve than ever.

Few shows, though, cater for the breadth of stage skills out there quite like Britain’s Got Talent.

Just look at the diversity of acts, ages and backgrounds in this year’s final: three singers from school age to pension age; a street dancer, a dancing duo and a dancing dog act; a boy band; a young drummer; an impressionist; and a troupe of gymnastic acrobats.

More than 12m viewers tuned in to the final – the second highest rating in four series – proving that the nation still likes to watch these dreamers achieve their goals. That, or see them fall spectacularly on their faces (the worst in 2010? Undoubtedly Paul ‘The Burper’ Hunn, voted off in under 10 seconds).

Facing the trio of judges – Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan – and a large crowd of spectators would be too daunting for most of us. So spare a thought for this year’s winners, gymnasts Spelbound, who had to perform their spectacular acts of athleticism on a hard stage without crash mats or a sprung floor.

It was, says 21-year-old member Adam McAssey, a particularly daunting task. But after training together for two months, the troupe were determined to pull off a clean and breath-taking routine.

“We’re all very used to performing in front of spectators because we enter international competitions, but it’s very different when you know you’re performing in front of millions of people,” says Adam, who also coaches nine to 15-year-olds in the sport.

“The pressure was really on. You can’t have any slips or any wobbles on a hard stage because someone could get seriously hurt.

“For that reason, we didn’t put any big risks in the routine. But we were so keen to go on Britain’s Got Talent to promote the sport. It would be a great privilege for us to now be seen as ambassadors.”

All but one of the BGT series has been won by sporty acts so far: Warrington dancer George Sampson, street dance crew Diversity and now Spelbound. Uptake for street dancing classes has gone through the roof since 2008; Adam hopes gymnastics will reap the same rewards.

Of course, every entrant this year will be looking for the show to be a platform for them and their talent.

All nine finalists – Christopher Stone, Janey Cutler, Kieran Gaffney, Tina and Chandi, Paul Burling, Tobias Mead, Twist & Pulse, Spelbound, Manchester’s Liam McNally and boyband Connected – are on the live tour, which hits the MEN Arena for two performances tomorrow, hosted by Paddy McGuinness.

Few, though, will feel the pressure to impress quite like Spelbound. Have they got used to being Number One? “When we went into the auditions, we just went in with the attitude of, ‘Let’s see how far we can go’,” says Adam. “Now we’ve won, we’re working on some spectacular routines. I can’t give anything away, but we’re going to try to better the seven metre throw we did in the live final.”

Joining Spelbound on the BGT live tour will be young singer Liam, from New Moston. At 14, he is the youngest individual finalist in this year’s competition, but says he isn’t intimidated about being the baby of the bunch.

“I find it more exciting than I get nervous,” says Liam.

“When I was on BGT, there were 300 people in the audience, but you don’t think of the people at home. I could only see Simon, Amanda and Piers, and that’s only three people so it wasn’t bad at all.

“I just went on the stage and I thought, ‘You know, it’s not going to kill me, I need to go for it some time’.”

In truth, Liam has been preparing for this moment for years. When he auditioned for series four, it was his third stab at getting on the show; the first two times he didn’t get in front of the judges.

Was he too shy at 12 to make the grade? “I don’t think it’s that I’m more confident now, it’s just the times they knocked me back made me stronger and want to do it more,” he says.

“So by the time I got on the stage this time, I thought I was ready for it. I thought it was the right time.”

Dubbed Aled Jones Mark II (a nickname Liam says is ‘brilliant’), Liam has been a regular in the school choir for many years.

Aged eight, he was picked out by his teacher as a promising singer, but he says his classmates were all quite surprised to find he was able to hold a tune.

“Most people didn’t know,” he laughs. “But everyone said it was great, everyone said they voted for me.

“This competition’s made me realise what I want to do when I’m older, and that’s be a professional singer.”

2.30pm, 7.30pm, £32.50.