Colin Thackery

Warrant Officer Class 2 Colin Thackery (born 9 March 1930) is a British Korean War veteran and singer who won the thirteenth series of Britain's Got Talent in June 2019. As the winner, he received £250,000 and performed at the 2019 Royal Variety Performance.[1] At 89, he became the oldest ever winner of the talent show. [2]

Colin Thackery
Thackery in 2022
Background information
Birth nameColin Thackery
Born (1930-03-09) 9 March 1930
Occupation(s)Soldier
Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2019–present
LabelsDecca

Career

Thackery served in the Royal Artillery of the Army, and saw service in Malaya and the Korean War.[3] His medals represent this service, the General Service Medal with clasp Malaya; the Korea Medal and the United Nations Korea Medal.

In 2019, Thackery won Britain's Got Talent. At 89, he became the oldest ever winner of the talent show. He released an album, signing to Decca Records, alongside a tour across the UK.

In 2022, Thackery returned to the stage to perform a special medley for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Personal life

Thackery performed on an amateur basis throughout his life. As a boy, he sang in the church choir. In the Army, he took part in concerts on his troop ship on the way to Korea and, once there, was recruited to entertain the troops during a lull in the fighting. He also sang in a forces club when posted in Hong Kong. After retiring from the Army he joined a local operatic society.[3]

A Chelsea Pensioner, he lives in the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where he moved after the death of his wife Joan in 2016, after 66 years of marriage.[3]

Discography

Albums
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[4]
Love Changes Everything
  • Released: 6 December 2019
  • Label: Decca
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD
 13

Honours



RibbonDescriptionNotes
General Service Medal
  • With "MALAYA" Clasp
Korea Medal
United Nations Korea Medal
  • With "KOREA" Clasp

References
  1. ITV News. Pensioner Colin Thackery wins Britain's Got Talent
  2. BBC News website. Britain's Got Talent: Colin Thackery crowned winner
  3. Royal Hospital Chelsea website. Colin's story
  4. Myers, Justin (13 December 2019). "Rod Stewart claims tenth Number 1 album". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
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