Reuben Gray started playing the piano when he was just 7 years old. Now at the tender age of 16, he was a singer/songwriter — and good enough that he landed a spot on the hit reality TV show “Britain’s Got Talent.” It was only natural that he was a little nervous before going out on stage. This was his big moment in front of a large live audience with millions more watching on television.
Although Reuben knew his father wasn’t going to be able to be there in person, he chose a song he knew his dad liked. It wasn’t the first time career obligations had his dad rooting for him from afar. He’d done several tours of duty in the British army and was now a security contractor for a pipeline company. Usually he’s home for a total of three months per year. “The first thing I’m going to do, if I do well, I’m just going to give him a call.”
Once Reuben was on stage, Simon Cowell asked him who his biggest supporter was. “My dad.” Simon pretended to be surprised: “Is he? More than your mum?” Now it was time to give Reuben a big surprise: his dad was there in the audience, after all!
Clearly moved by his father’s presence, Reuben gave a truly inspired performance. The music he played on the piano was “Lifeline” but the words he sang were his own. He turned the song into a beautifully sincere apology to a girlfriend he treated badly — and she was in the audience to hear it. After he finished, Simon was clearly impressed, telling him, “That was a great audition, Reuben. You come on and be authentic. Be original. Take risks. I really, really liked the song. You’ve got talent. You really have.”
Check out the video posted below and let us know what you thought of Reuben Gray’s emotional adaptation of “Lifeline.” Be sure to like and share: any dads you know will appreciate this one!
