The Britain’s Got Talent Winner looks back at her best, worst and weirdest live performances – including the one that got her the golden buzzer

“I feel like I’m living my fairy tale life, to be honest,” says Sydnie Christmas, over the phone. “There’s no words to describe fully how lucky I feel.” She’s in the middle of a press run during which she must have talked about her Britain’s Got Talent win more times than she can count, but her joy and gratitude don’t sound in any way rehearsed. Then again, she’s proven herself a fantastic performer. The 29-year-old singer put her own spin on ‘Tomorrow’ from Annie in her audition, earning a golden buzzer from Amanda Holden and going on to be voted the winner of the talent show’s 17th season. Now she’s gearing up for a UK tour in early 2025, after releasing her debut album My Way earlier this year.

“It’s very overwhelming,” she admitted. “It’s a different industry that I’m learning right now.” Previously a musical theatre actress, Christmas says that she’s slowly getting to grips with being a recording artist and touring musician. “I feel like I’m back at school again. But it’s all the stress that I’ve ever wanted. Does that make sense? I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

We caught up with Christmas to talk through her biggest, best and most memorable live performances to date – before she embarks on her first headline tour.

The one that made you want to be a performer

I used to watch a lot of movie musicals. I fell in love with Half A Sixpence, and Tommy Steele. Jesus, I was in love with him. Doris Day in Calamity Jane… they’re the musicals that made me fall in love. West Side Story, of course, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Guys And Dolls. Guys And Dolls was the first musical that I saw in London. I think I was about nine.

The first

It was at the rugby club, and it was singing ‘Vindaloo’ stood up on a table collecting money with a hat. I used to do it when I was about three to five. But then I the first song that I ever sung properly, that I can remember, is at school, being stood up on a bench in the playground, singing ‘Tomorrow’ from Annie to the older kids. I think they were in Year Five, and I was only in Reception, and they stood me up on the chair, and I sang Annie.