“He’s shaking!” one fan observed as 20-year-old York busker Finley Barrett-Carter stood nervously on the Britain’s Got Talent stage, waiting for his audition to begin.
Nobody was quite sure what the young performer had planned. Alesha Dixon even wondered whether he might launch into a rap. Instead, Finley opened his mouth and transported the audience straight back to 1972 with a powerful performance of Elvis Presley’s “Burning Love.”
His nerves quickly disappeared.
Finley’s distinctive, old-school voice immediately captured the room, and before long, the audience was on its feet, dancing along to the performance. Rather than attempting to imitate Elvis, Finley brought his own personality to the song while capturing the spirit and energy that made the original such a memorable hit.
The performance proved to be one of the season’s most popular musical auditions with viewers at home.
When Britain’s Got Talent uploaded Finley’s audition on March 8, 2026, it quickly attracted around 720,000 views across two uploads. Viewers praised the simplicity and authenticity of his performance, with many saying he needed no gimmicks or elaborate backstory — just his voice.
Some fans even questioned why he had not received a Golden Buzzer.
Finley’s song choice also paid tribute to one of Elvis Presley’s best-known late-career performances. Elvis famously performed “Burning Love” during his Aloha From Hawaii concert in Honolulu on January 14, 1973, just five months after the single was released.
Back on the Britain’s Got Talent stage, Finley received a warm response from all four judges.
Alesha Dixon particularly praised the way his confidence grew once he realized the audience was behind him. She said it looked as though he was having the best time of his life on stage.
His personality also won over the judges during the conversation that followed. Finley came across as naturally funny, energetic and genuine, while Simon Cowell was seen smiling broadly during the exchange.
By the end of the audition, Finley had secured four yes votes and advanced in the competition.
Although the York singer did not receive the Golden Buzzer that some viewers believed he deserved, his combination of a distinctive voice, natural charm and strong audience support could make him a serious contender as the 2026 competition continues.
For a performer who walked onto the stage visibly shaking, Finley Barrett-Carter certainly left with the audience wanting to hear much more.