Eisteddfod veteran wows judges

A 12-year-old veteran of the Llangollen Eisteddfod has wowed the judges and audience on ITV's Britain's Got Talent.

Faryl Smith, who will be returning to the Welsh festival in July, had the talent show's Mr Nasty, Simon Cowell, pronouncing she was something "very special" following her appearance on Saturday night's episode.

Fellow judge, Amanda Holden, struggled to hold back tears as she said: "I cannot believe such a big voice came from such a little person. It was breathtaking."

The youngster, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, was a winner at Llangollen's International Musical Eisteddfod in 2006 when she was just 10.

She took part in the under 15 vocal solo class. Festival organisers revealed today that Faryl will return to compete in the same competition this year.

Marketing director of the Eisteddfod, Janet Major, who watched Faryl perform on the talent show at the weekend, said: "We here in Llangollen are delighted that Faryl was in Britain's Got Talent and did so well. We wish her every success in the programme."

The schoolgirl's Britain's Got Talent audition in Birmingham brought the audience to a silence throughout her performance before it erupted into standing ovation.

Third judge, Piers Morgan, said: "For a 12-year-old girl to sing in that way is one of the most extraordinary things I've seen."

Faryl's Dad, Tony, who was in the wings while his daughter was singing, believes she could be the next Charlotte Church.

Viewers also saw county strongman Stuart 'Goldcrusher' Goldsmith denied a place in the next round of Britain's Got Talent.

The Shrewsbury-based nightclub doorman and businessman lifted presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly above his head on the show on Saturday.