Wayne Woodward, a 20-year-old from Sutton, Surrey, walked onto the stage with an instantly recognizable Cockney accent that the judges immediately compared to actor Danny Dyer. Prior to his audition, Wayne explained that he works “bits here and there,” doing building work, but his real passion lies in singing at various bars, restaurants, and clubs. He clearly had a close relationship with his family, especially his father, who introduced him to singing. Wayne’s confident, chatty, and typically British demeanor set a humorous and somewhat unrefined tone for what was about to follow.
The moment Wayne began to sing, the contrast between his speaking voice and his singing voice was so profound that it left the entire audience and panel utterly stunned. He performed the classic song “The Way You Look Tonight” with an effortless, deep, and rich swing style reminiscent of legendary crooners. His powerful, mellow baritone voice was perfectly suited to the Rat Pack genre, and he demonstrated an undeniable sense of natural musicality and charm. The audience was quickly on their feet, recognizing the exceptional, unexpected talent of the young man from Sutton.
The judges were full of praise, focusing mainly on the shock of his vocal transformation. Alesha Dixon described his performance as having “effortless charm” and said she was not expecting that voice, suggesting he could go “from Sutton to Las Vegas.” David Walliams was completely won over, simply stating, “Everything is great, but for me, it’s you. I just like you, I think you’re just brilliant.” Even though Simon Cowell felt Wayne “lost his way” at points, he acknowledged the enormous potential. Wayne Woodward received three resounding “yeses,” confirming his swinging success and moving him one step closer to his dream.
