In the UK, ITV recently broadcast a series called Britain’s got Talent. The series was nothing special, but it did throw up an unusual winner for such shows : an amateur opera singer.

Paul Potts, age 36, a mobile phone salesman from Port Talbot in South Wales (where else for an opera singer?), inevitably clinched his victory with a spirited performance of Puccini’s Nessun Dorma.

But how good is he? That’s not so easy to judge.

As is normal for such shows, the audience was encouraged to applaude every high note and familiar phrase. The judging panel comprised the usual suspects of light-entertainment producers, a former tabloid editor and an actress. The singer was also helped by amplification in the studio, so the strength of his voice was not tested. It’s possible that at Covent Garden or La Scala, he wouldn’t be heard at the back of the auditorium.

His voice reminded me of a young Harry Seccombe, a much-loved Welsh comedian who sang a bit of the heavy stuff.

Not surprisingly, Paul Potts first sang opera at the age of 28 for a karaoke competition where he dressed up as Pavarotti.

ITV says, “He went on to perform in Barrymore’s My Kind Of Music (1999). The money he won from the show (£8000) along with his savings was spent on attending various training courses in Italy. From his Italian opera class he was selected to sing in a master class for Pavarotti and Katia Ricciarelli – who he says were very impressed. Paul reckons he’s spent £20,000 in total to get to where he is today.”

Paul has performed in four semi professional operas in the UK and some concerts. His proudest performance was with the Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert in front of 15,000 people.

A motorcycle accident is reckoned to have held him back from reaching his full potential.