82-Year-Old ‘X Factor’ Singer FLIRTS With Cheryl [VIDEO]
ITV Reading Time: 2 minutes
In 2009, 82-year-old William Hooper auditioned for The X Factor UK and charmed the judges, especially Cheryl. William proved that you’re never too old to chase your dreams.
Check out William’s sweet audition in the video below, and read on to find out what the judges thought of his performance.
William Hooper Auditions For ‘X Factor’
Before his audition, William shared that he had dreamed of being a singer since he was a child, but he “never got the opportunity.” He laughed when host Dermot O’Leary told him the female judges would like him.
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When Simon Cowell asked William why he was auditioning for the show at his age, he replied, “This is my last chance.” Simon then earned boos from the audience when he asked William where he’d like to be in seven years, and then decided to “shorten that” number.
William then went on to sing “Come Fly with Me” by Frank Sinatra. Simon cut the performance short, earning more boos from the audience. He seemed to be the only judge who didn’t like William’s voice.
What Did The Judges Think Of William’s Audition?
Louis Walsh called William a “born entertainer.” Dannii Minogue pointed out that William had “no nerves,” and said she thought he had “the X factor.” Cheryl called him a “showbiz man” and said she enjoyed his audition.
William, in turn, blew Cheryl a kiss. She smiled and blew one back to him, and William gave a thumbs-up. Three out of the four judges voted “yes” to sending William through to the next round.
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Sadly, William passed away in 2016 “after a short battle with illness.” He was 88 years old. His nephew Ron Barnes told a local publication that he was “an entertainer all his life,” and was learning to play guitar until shortly before his death.
Ron said William’s X Factor stint was “one of the best experiences of his life.” He added, “He was a wonderful man, a real character and will be deeply missed by those who knew him. It was a very sad day when we lost him, but I think he will be singing, dancing and putting on a show upstairs right now.”
