This weekend The X Factor--the British version of American Idol, basically, and the show that spawned Leona Lewis--premiered in the U.K., switching to the even more dramatic live-audition format of Simon Cowell's other big across-the-pond reality hit, Britain's Got Talent. And auditioning Saturday night, non-coincidentally in the all-important "pimp slot," was hunky and likable schoolteacher Danyl Johnson. And this teacher gave an A+ performance, for sure.
How good was Danyl? Well, he managed to accomplish the unthinkable: Danyl not only made Simon Cowell smile, but he inspired Simon to give him a standing ovation...AND Simon even declared Danyl's audition (of the Joe Cocker version of "With A Little Help From My Friends") "the single best first audition I have ever heard."
Yes, you read that right: THE. BEST. EVER.
The X Factor 2009 - Danyl Johnson - Auditions 1 (itv.com/xfactor)