He explained that he wanted the audition to be a complete surprise to his students, acknowledging with a laugh that if the performance went badly, the secret would be revealed in an embarrassing way When asked if his students knew he could sing, Tom stated that most of them did not, as he had only sung to one of his classes before .
Before singing, he mentioned that he is often compared to the famous West End star, Michael Ball, with the shared last name certainly adding to the comparison . With the judges and audience waiting, he took a deep breath and began his song, “Writing’s on the Wall” by Sam Smith .
Tom’s performance was immediately powerful and incredibly unexpected. His voice possessed an exceptional range and stunning vocal control that seemed far beyond his nervous demeanor . He delivered a truly captivating rendition, hitting soaring high notes and conveying the emotional depth of the song, earning a standing ovation from the entire room.
The judges were clearly blown away by the surprise talent. Amanda Holden called him a “Powerhouse” and deemed it “one of the best things we’ve had in the last 16 years,” adding that his lovely personality and humility combined to create the “perfect audition”. David Walliams praised him as a kind teacher, saying, “How lucky your kids are to have you teaching them” .
Simon Cowell wrapped up the feedback, noting that while there are many good singers, Tom’s personality and likeability played a huge part in his success . The judges quickly handed out their four “yes” votes , sending the unassuming secondary school teacher through to the next round to the sound of thunderous applause.
Video Link: Tom Ball STUNS the Judges with an EXCEPTIONAL performance | Auditions | BGT 2022
