BGT viewers stunned as mum gives up audition for teenage daughter

'I feel like I owe her'

Saturday (April 23) night's episode of the reality series saw Claire from Liverpool take to the stage for her "audition," with her daughter, Tia, stage-side with Ant and Dec for moral support.

But when Claire got in front of the judges, she almost immediately revealed that she planned to "give up" her audition slot for Tia as a way of saying thank you to her for all the help and support she has provided in the past.

She told the audience: "She thinks it’s me who’s auditioning. She’s got me through some very hard times in my life and I feel like I owe her, so I’m giving my audition up for my daughter."

"This is my way of saying she’s fabulous because she deserves it and she’s an incredible person."

The surprise left Tia understandably shocked, and after introducing herself to Simon, Amanda, Alesha and Bruno, she was given a bit of time backstage to compose herself and prepare for her big moment.

When she returned, she performed a stunning rendition of Whitney Houston's 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength', and got a standing ovation from both the judges and audience.

Afterwards, she explained that the song meant a lot to her due to bullying she had experienced at school because of her skin colour.

She said: "A lot of people picked on me a lot and that’s song helped me and also my mum is the strongest person I’ve ever met, so I want to dedicate it to her as well."

Amanda said Tia had "absolutely smashed it" and predicted a "massive career" for the teen.

Meanwhile Bruno said she had an "incredible quality because you were singing from your soul|".

And Simon said: "That’s how you do it."

"I really love moments like this, you didn’t know you were going to audition, your mum set you up, I’ll just sing Whitney Houston then, like it’s normal," he said.

Viewers at home were left just as stunned and impressed by Tia's performance.

"Sometimes performances speak for themselves and Tia just nailed it. She is incredibly talented, the beauty she doesn’t know how brilliant she is. Loved it. Outstanding," one person posted on Twitter.

Another added: "She has an amazing voice. Aw she dedicated the song to her mum. She is an amazing singer! Definitely one of the best surprises she has ever had."

Tia sailed through to the next round with four yesses, but viewers will have to wait and see as to whether she makes it through to the live shows.

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