Simon Crerar
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Singing mobile phone salesman Paul Potts woke up £100,000 richer today after winning television show Britain's Got Talent, and revealed that he will spend part of his prize money clearing debts and improving his teeth.
Paul Potts, 36, won over the nation with a performance of Nessun Dorma in the final of the hit ITV1 talent show, watched by 12.1 million viewers.
The former Tesco shelf-stacker from Port Talbot, South Wales, will now perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.
Potts said that his win had not yet sunk in but that he was planning to pay off his £30,000 debts - although he was not 100-per cent sure about giving up his day job.
Potts spent £12,000 on singing lessons before deciding his dream was not meant to be. He began stacking shelves in Tesco but had to quit work because of a spell of ill health.
Doctors treated him for appendicitis and removed a benign tumour, while Potts also broke his collarbone.
He landed a job at Carphone Warehouse after battling back to health and married a woman he met on the internet.
Today Potts said: "There are a few people who are going to want me to pay off some debts.
"Two years off sick knocks you for six when all you have to live on is your credit card. I had to work hard just to keep my head above water.
"I still can't believe I'm in this position. I don't know how long it's going to take to sink in. At the moment it's all a bit of a haze."
Potts, who has also landed a record deal with Simon Cowell, the TV show judge, said of fixing his teeth: "I'm not sure about veneers but I do want to get the crown repaired. It would be nice to be able to smile naturally. I feel very self conscious about it at the moment. But whatever I do I'm not going to change who I am."
"I'm a team leader at Carphone Warehouse but I don't think anybody is expecting me back. I'll just see what happens," he added.
Potts said of his wife, Julie Ann: "I would like to treat her to a nice holiday, maybe a safari. That would be a nice luxury item."
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Paul Potts I saw in concert and he was better than anything I have heard, and that is them all. Lily, if you cannot stand to listen to Paul, the n don't, there is so many negative people out there, the humble, quiet Paul Potts is not one of them.
June, Louth, England
It's nice to see a nice guy who has had some bad breaks, but with a desire to sing and share the beautiful voice that God has given him with the world. What a Blessing. I ordered his first CD, and will probably order future ones. Here's wishing you the best from a fan in Kansas. Hope to see you perform in person someday.
God Bless
Ron Rinehart, Wichita, Ks.
Ron L. Rinehart, Wichita, Kansas USA
Paul we have 3 of your CDs in our family so far and looking forward to the next one. Unbelievable. One from the working class had God's voice and could not be denied. Bless you and your beautiful wife. Hope you're coming to our town! :)
Real Talk, Los Angeles, CA
Fabulous Paul, Everyone should listen to Pavarotti's earliest recordings not his finest performances ever, before making a comparison. Voices mature and mellow. Paul's will also. He's tremendous now but any detractors will have to eat their words when history repeats itself. Best wishes from an English teacher in Taiwan.
Jeffrey Smith, Chungli, Taiwan
I have only just heard of Paul Potts, and I am amazed. He moves me to tears. I hope that everything he does is successful and he has one more fan here in Texas. Have a wonderful 2008!
Heather, Dallas, TX
Paul it takes all of us a while to realize that we all posses great God given talents. We are deligthted that you have shared yours with us and the rest of the world. My heart was blessed with your first appearance on Brittish Idol. We all were in awe of your tremendous singing talent.
You have a lot of life still to live and a tremendous talent to share and bless others in this world with. Do it with the courage that you have had all of your life and you will leave a legacy of talent unsurpassed and one that will be remembered always.
Dave Walker and Friends Atlanta, Ga USA
Dave Walker, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
I,m Just a beat up ole Cowboy from Montana, and sing a bit, not to well versed in the finer teconology of the art but I know what I like and I love to hear some one with natural talent and who does inhance the art. This young man is outstanding I love to hear him. Out here the finer things are really appreciated and he is a finer thing, I wish you well, fix you teeth if you must but keep the voice tuned. Thanks for who you are. God Bless. Glen Hufstetler, Kalispell Montana.
Glen H, Kalispell, Montana , USA
I have watched Paul Potts sing in his first performance manyk many times and it still moves me to tears. Its so nice to see the good guy get to the top.
Barbara Wilkes, Canada
Barbara Wilkes, Calgary, Canada
We reside in Canada but were informed from family in the UK of your story. As we could not watch it live we kept up with your performances on sites such as youtube. Your story along with your powerful voice brought us all to tears.You are an inspiration to all who have a dream.It gives hope to all when a humble, noble person like yourself can succeed. Good luck, you are so deserving of this.
Elise, Niagara Falls, Canada
Lily:
I wish this man well! He seems nice enough, and has had the struggles of many average people in the world, however, not all average people can afford to foot the bill for singing lessons in Italy. I would adore being an opera singer, but have not the voice nor the money for singing lessons. Carerras, Domingo, Parvarotti, Bocelli and Lanza, are all opera singers who sing a wide range of musical notes with the greatest of ease, which makes me want to listen to them indefinitely. I find Paul Pott's Opera voice very strained at times to reach high notes, so much so, that it becomes too painful for me to listen. I could tolerate him for only a short time. I do not know if singing lessons will correct this, or if this is where Paul's voice will stay. For now, Paul's voice would be good on a cruise ship, but not Carnegie Hall. I am glad at least he has won money to help him fix his teeth and improve his standard of living.
Lily Darcey, Anytown, USA
lily Darcey, Anytown, USA
Congratulatons to Paul. He has a wonderful voice and I shall look forward to his first disc.
Shame about the little lasses, but I am sure their turn will come. Bessie will surely be in pantomime this year.
Barbara, Shepperton, Middlesex
Well done, its nice to see someone like Paul scramble up from the bottom to the top, I hope he makes it big style
Well Done
Reg Goldsmith, UK,
It is nice to see someone who was considered a complete loser in life win like this. I hope this bloke makes all his dreams come true.
R, Pornic, France
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