‘Walk the Line’ Recap: Nadiah Adu-Gyamfi Wins £500,000 in Show’s Final
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During the Walk the Line final, Nadiah Adu-Gyamfi stunned with another heart-wrenching ballad. She took the stage with “This Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush dedicated to her mom, who was sitting in the front row. Nadiah’s performance came after four new performers hit the stage, but the powerful singer easily walked away with the £500,000 grand prize.
“The song I choose could change my life, this will be the difference between me going home with £500,000 or going home with nothing,” Nadiah said before taking the stage for the third time.
The song, which celebrates the strength and power of women, moved all of the judges to tears as Nadiah broke down thanking her mom for her hard work.
“This business sometimes is all about timing, and this was the time that you needed to pick the right song,” said judge Gary Barlow. “This was the time you needed to make a half a million pound performance and I believe you did it.”
Although she came up against four new acts tonight, Nadiah unsurprisingly won the show. The judges unanimously encouraged Nadiah to Walk the Line, which she did. Her soulful voice and endearing personality won over the at-home and in-studio audiences, who did in fact vote for her to win the show. Nadiah was so overwhelmed with emotion as her mom joined her on stage.
“I get to actually change your life mom, you deserve it so much,” she managed to get out before breaking down in tears.
Nadiah could have cashed out tonight for £20,000 if she felt as though one of the newcomers performed better than she did. If she chose to Walk the Line, and she won the audience vote, she would have won the show and the grand prize. If she didn’t win the vote, and she chose to walk, she would have left the show with nothing, and the new contestant would have won the full prize.
Earlier this week, Ella Rothwell cashed out for £40,000, after Nadiah entered the competition. Ella had performed during four episodes, thus the £40,000 prize.
Four Final Contestants Perform to Steal the Grand Prize
Tonight’s contestants had the chance to earn the full £500,000 prize with just one performance. The way the show is formatted, if just one performer tonight earned more votes than Nadiah, they would steal the grand prize and Nadiah would walk away with nothing.
The newest contestants included Beatbox Collective, a group of four beatboxers from across the U.K.; Rodney Earl Clarke, an opera singer who sang an original song inspired by George Floyd; and Greg Charles, a music and gymnastics teacher.
Scarlet Thomas, the 19-year-old musical theater student was Nadiah’s biggest competition of the night. She performed an impressive rendition of “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” by Christina Aguilera and earned the judges’ admiration.
“Scarlet for me was the best vocalist tonight, but Greg brought the heart and the soul,” said judge Alesha Dixon.
When it came time to cash out or Walk the Line, Nadiah didn’t hesitate to walk for the £500,000, which she certainly earned after three amazing performances this week.
Barlow gave a surprise Christmas performance during tonight’s final. He sang and played the piano to “Merry Christmas Everyone.” The song is featured on his latest holiday album The Dream of Christmas, released earlier this year.
Dixon returned to the judging panel for the finale after appearing via video call the past two nights. Earlier this week, she came in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19, so was judging remotely to be cautious. She joined Barlow, Craig David, and comedian Dawn French in advising each night’s acts on whether they should “take the money and run,” or come back to perform again.
