Chelsea Pensioner can 'die happy' after Britain's Got Talent win lets him sing to Queen

An 89-year-old Chelsea Pensioner who became the winner of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT), feels he can now "die happy" as his prize gives him the chance to sing for the Queen.

People across the UK voted for Colin Thackery to win BGT after watching his emotive performance of ‘Love Changes Everything’ - originally written for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical ‘Aspects of Love’.

The Korean war veteran, who lives independently in sheltered accommodation at London's Royal Hospital Chelsea, beat back competition from a masked magician to become the winner.

He looked stunned on Sunday night (2 June) after the BGT final revealed him to be the winner of the ITV show.

Dressed in his iconic Chelsea Pensioner red suit, Mr Thackery told BGT hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly: “I served my Queen for 25 years and to think I could sing for her would be the end. I could die happy.”

Mr Thackery has won a performance slot on the Royal Variety Performance which will be attended by the Queen and broadcast on ITV in November.

Immediately after being named the show’s winner, the pensioner told hosts Ant and Dec: “I don’t know what to say.

"I'm stuck for words, for a change.

“Thank you very much. All of you.”

As BGT judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon looked on, host Ant McPartlin told the army veteran “Of course, you’ve got £250,000 now to spend and you’ll be performing at the Royal Variety Performance!”

Mr Thackery has revealed he will donate some of his prize money to the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Colin Thackery served in the British military for a quarter of a century.

Two weeks after his wedding to his wife Joan, Mr Thackery was sent off to serve in the army in Asia. He served in the 35th regiment of the Royal Artillery of the Queen's Army and was sent to Korea and Vietnam.

Mr Thackery, who is from Norfolk, dedicated his BGT performance to his late wife Joan, who passed away in 2016.

What does it take to be a Chelsea Pensioner?

The Royal Hospital Chelsea in London has cared for retired soldiers of the British Army since 1692.

But competition to get in can be stiff. A special judging panel consider who is best suited to becoming a Chelsea Pensioner -but only after applicants have passed all its eligibility criteria.

To become eligible to be a Chelsea Pensioner, a person must be a former soldier or non-commissioned officer and be over either the pension age or 65.

They also must receive an army service pension or war disability pension, which would have to be surrendered if admitted into the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

They must also have to have served at least 12 years in the ranks before obtaining a commission or awarded a disablement pension while serving.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea runs the Margaret Thatcher Infirmary care home, which was opened by Prince Charles in 2009. It only admits Chelsea Pensioners and can accommodate up to 100 who require nursing or personal care.

After Colin Thackery’s won BGT, Chelsea Pensioners took to social media to celebrate.

A post on Chelsea Pensioners Facebook page stated: 'We cannot believe it! #ChelseaPensioner Colin Thackery is this year's winner!

'He has worked so hard and done so well to win the #BGT final. Congratulations to all the other acts also. Thank you to everyone who voted and supported Colin over the past weeks. #ColinsGotTalent'.

click here for more details or to contact Margaret Thatcher Infirmary