A man from Milton Keynes was praised by the judges for his celebrity impressions on tonight's Britain's Got Talent.

Mike Woodhams, 37, appeared on the first episode of the show’s newest season tonight (April 20).

The music teacher surprised judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli by turning what they thought would be a typical singing act into a series of impersonations of famous vocalists.

He delivered a note-perfect rendition of James Blunt’s hit You’re Beautiful, a cover of Anastacia’s I’m Outta Love – complete with coloured glasses – and Macy Gray’s I Try.

Tonioli described them as the best impressions he had heard in a “very long time”.

The launch show of the new season featured many off-the-wall acts including trumpet player Dennis Frere-Smith, 64, who played a number of odd objects including a hosepipe during his audition.

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Stand-up comedian Bobby Goldfinn also performed a fish-inspired routine which consisted of him instantly forgetting he had started, as well as “forgetting” that he had even done the audition as he returned to the stage several more times throughout the episode.

The competition kicks off with a double bill weekend on Saturday and Sunday when the first set of brave contestants take to the stage in the hope of securing a £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the bill of the Royal Variety Performance.

Britain’s Got Talent will return on Sunday.