Lucciano, 9, reveals why he really joined BGT before emotional grandad duet that brought the house down
Nine-year-old Lucciano Mortimore has captured hearts on Britain’s Got Talent 2026 after an emotional audition that ended with a surprise duet with his grandfather, leaving both the audience and judges deeply moved.
The young singer from Bristol stepped onto the stage alone at first, telling the judges he would be performing for the panel. But the moment quickly turned into something unforgettable when he revealed the real reason he wanted to be on the show.
“I’m with my mom, my granddad, my dad, and my nan,” Lucciano said proudly when introduced. He then explained how his love of singing began at home. “It started when my mom and dad went to work and my granddad and my nan looked after me. My granddad was singing in care homes, so I used to go along and start singing with him.”
Watch the video below.
That connection to care homes has shaped much of Lucciano’s young life. Over recent summers, he has been performing in care homes and hospices across the South West, bringing music and joy to residents. Speaking during one visit to Avon Valley Care Home, he said, “They all clap and they smile and they really like it. I like making them happy and seeing them smile.”
Residents have clearly felt the impact. One described his performances as something that “lightens up our lives,” while another said his voice was “absolutely fantastic” and “really helps us.” His mother, Marisa Mortimore, who was a finalist on The X Factor in 2008, said she and Lucciano’s father are “so proud” of him, adding that some residents “even cry because they’re so overwhelmed.”
Lucciano also shared a simple but powerful reason for singing so often: “Because normally children go out to the park and play football, go to the zoo. But all I like to do is sing and make people happy.”
That same spirit was on full display during his BGT audition. In a surprising twist, Lucciano asked for his grandfather, Frankie Johns, to join him on stage. Frankie, who was sitting in the audience expecting only to watch, was visibly shocked when his grandson called him down.
“I was quite comfortable sat there,” Frankie joked after stepping onto the stage. “How often do you ever get the chance to sing with your grandson in front of some lovely people?”
After a short break to recover from the surprise, the pair returned to perform One Direction’s hit “History.” Their voices blended as they sang lines about shared memories and love, with Frankie adding emotional depth as he sang alongside his grandson.
The performance ended with a standing ovation. Judge Simon Cowell called it “one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen,” while Alesha Dixon said, “What is there not to love about this?” Amanda Holden added, “You brought the house down,” as the panel unanimously voted four yeses to send them through.
Behind the emotional moment is a family deeply rooted in music and service. Frankie himself has spent years performing in care homes, while also completing a major charity challenge in 2017 by collecting one million pennies for Help for Heroes. He later said his goal has always been simple: “If you can make them happy, then you’ve done your job.”
Lucciano’s journey to the BGT stage has already been filled with achievements. He was named Young Performer of the Year at the 2025 Children of Wales Awards and has been performing for several years despite his age.
Now, with a standing ovation, a powerful family bond, and a heartfelt performance that moved the judges, Lucciano and Frankie have become one of the most memorable auditions of the season.
