Ravi Adelekan, a young boy from Brighton, has secured a spot in the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) after receiving the coveted “golden buzzer.” Despite facing the challenges of living with a brain tumour, Ravi showed incredible determination, relearning how to walk and feed himself after doctors were unable to completely remove the benign tumour from his brain stem.
Just two years after his diagnosis, the eight-year-old delivered an emotional performance of “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman musical on Sunday’s episode of BGT. His performance touched the hearts of the audience and judge Alesha Dixon, who was so moved that she hit the golden buzzer, sending Ravi straight to the semi-finals. An emotional performance by an eight-year-old boy, Ravi Adelekan, and his support team moved Britain’s Got Talent judges and the audience to tears.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Ravi took the stage earlier this week to sing a special rendition of ‘A Million Dreams.’ “I’ve watched BGT all my life and always wanted to audition for it,” Ravi told judge Simon Cowell. “Two years ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and I’m here to show you that no matter what life throws at you, you can still achieve your dreams.”
As soon as the performance ended, Alesha Dixon, one of the judges on the show, hit the golden buzzer, leaving everyone in shock.
“The golden buzzer is such a personal thing, and I always say I can only press it when it feels right,” said Alesha. “You’re such a remarkable young man. The moment you started talking, you just had me. I love it.”
“I think you are a very talented, very brave, very special person,” said Simon. “I’m so happy you’ve had this moment because you deserve it. All of you. That’s why we have the golden buzzer for people like you,” said Simon Cowell.
Ravi’s brain tumour is now stable, but he continues to live with its day-to-day effects. Despite these challenges, Ravi remains positive and determined. He has already raised an impressive £105,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity and Brainstrust through a cover of ‘A Million Dreams’ released last year, which featured celebrities like Coldplay, Damon Albarn, and Paloma Faith. Ravi’s ultimate dream is to see advances in treatment that would eliminate the need for major surgeries like the one he underwent.