A group of singers from Maldon appeared on ITV's Britain's Got Talent last Saturday (April 15), as part of The BIG Sing Choir.

As Britain's Got Talent (BGT) kicked off its 16th series Maldon singers were among those taking the judges by surprise. The BIG Sing is a choir made up of groups from Essex, Kent, and Warwickshire, with several members hailing from Maldon.

The choir has over 500 members, so for their audition at the London Palladium, small groups of members were "hidden" in the audience, ready to pop up at certain points in the song. From the balcony to the royal boxes, dozens of singers surprised the judges when they leapt out of the audience to sing 'Brighter Days' by Emeli Sande.

Following their performance, BGT judge Simon Cowell remarked: "My goodness – we weren't expecting that!"

Gemma Francis, director of The BIG Sing, said: "When we had this opportunity to sing on one of the UK's biggest shows, we just had to take it! Our choir is all about ordinary people achieving amazing things together!"

Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli were surrounded by BIG Sing members. (Photo: Britain's Got Talent/ITV)

Member Debbie Hill says joining the choir was one of the best decisions she ever made, as it has changed her life.

She said: "I love to sing, and I've made so many new friends."

Charlotte Woodward, from Chelmsford, said: "I joined the choir a few weeks in with my mum who was having a super tough time. We love going together and singing our hearts out! It has supported us through some really rough times.

"To be given the opportunity to go on Britain's Got Talent and be up on that stage was totally unexpected! It was phenomenal and a moment I will treasure forever."

The choir is open to all and tickets for practise sessions can be booked via The BIG Sing's website. No prior experience or skill is necessary.

The BIG Sing's next live gig, BIG Fest, will be held at the Brentwood Centre on 20 May. Book tickets via the website.

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