UPDATE: |Britain’s Got Talent opera duo Jonathan and Charlotte now after parting ways News

Opera duo Jonathan and Charlotte shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012 but the pair have gone on to have very different careers

It’s been 18 years since Britain’s Got Talent began showcasing opera talent, giving us stars like Paul Potts and Susan Boyle. But not many acts left quite the impression like the teenage opera duo Jonathan and Charlotte in 2012.

With their stunning performance of The Prayer, they provoked none other than Simon Cowell to let out an astonished “Seriously?”

Aged just 17 and 16, Jonathan and Charlotte mesmerised the judges from the opening note. Simon, in his classic straightforward manner, suggested Jonathan go it alone, hinting that Charlotte might hold him back.

However, defying Simon’s advice, the pair remained united, even altering their name before making it to the nerve-wracking live finals on May 12, 2012.

The duo had a fantastic run but ultimately had to accept second place, with Ashleigh and her dog Pudsey winning the competition, much to the dismay of Jonathan and Charlotte’s fans.

After coming second out of 70,000 contestants, an ecstatic Charlotte was quoted by Wales Online saying: “Oh my God, we came second out of 70,000 people, it’s incredible, it’s been amazing.”

Rumours were rife by the next morning that Simon was already in talks to secure a deal for Jonathan and Charlotte with a lucrative £1 million contract under his Syco label.

Come September 2012, Jonathan and Charlotte released their debut album titled Together featuring songs inspired by greats such as Elton John, Muse, and Queen.

After enchanting audiences across Europe and topping the charts, singing duo Jonathan and Charlotte reached a turning point in their musical partnership. In February 2014, they decided to part ways professionally as Sony Classical presented them with tempting solo opportunities.

The pair took to their website to share an emotional statement about their shared experiences since their days at West Hatch High School in 2006: “We have had the most exciting journey together ever since meeting at West Hatch High School in 2006 and are so happy for each other.”

They looked back fondly on their rise to fame as Britain’s Got Talent finalists and chart-topping recording artists: “To come second on BGT and sell over quarter of a million albums was beyond our wildest dreams.”

Full of anticipation for their individual careers, they announced their solo deals and expressed their appreciation for their fans: “To now be offered our own solo record deals by Sony Classical is the most exciting thing ever and we are thrilled to be going back into the recording studio so soon.

“For those that voted for us, bought our CDs and saw us in concert – thank you. We hope to see you soon at our own shows. Love Jonathan and Charlotte.”

Charlotte is embracing new adventures, fuelled by her passion for performing, and is currently wowing audiences in the world of musical theatre. Her stage credits include Carousel in Concert at The Royal Festival Hall and the original West End production of Heathers.

Charlotte recently gained attention on TikTok after sharing a light-hearted account of her Britain’s Got Talent experience, with a viral video captioned: “Simon Cowell hated me but then he got me Kurt Geiger’s for xmas.”

In the clip, she playfully addresses comments comparing her to the famous Charlotte of ‘Jonathan and Charlotte’, cheekily confirming “probably because I am”.

Her most recent performance was in Todrick Hall’s new hit show Midnight in early April, which she described on Instagram as “This show has been one of the most fulfilling and rewarding shows I’ve ever worked on.

“I’ve laughed and cried every day, watched the most talented humans create, and been giddy to see what would happen each day.” she said.

Meanwhile, Jonathan is working on his next album following a global tour, and is also performing locally in his hometown of Essex.

Following the split, he soared to the top of the Classical Artist Album chart with his debut solo album, Tenore. He recently took to social media to express gratitude towards his fans, stating: “Your kindness in allowing me to explore all kinds of music and your superlative taste in good tunes has led the way!!”

Jonathon Antoine has been making headlines not just for his music but also for his remarkable five-stone weight loss journey. Having previously acknowledged a lack of self-discipline, he shared: “I’ve still got a lot to lose but I’m making my way. I feel stronger and healthier than I have in 10 years, which is a lot.”

He continued to reflect on his lifestyle changes, saying: “This year I’ve made an active choice. I’ve felt I’ve lacked the discipline a lot. When I was out in America it’s fast food everywhere.”

Jonathon also opened up about his struggles earlier in the year and his path to recovery, adding: “I was in a terrible state in the start of the year and I’ve been able to claw my way back doing light exercise.”

Discussing his past approach to life and the transformation he’s undergone, he concluded: “For a long time I was just experiencing life, letting life live me, trying to find the next pleasure. Taking control of your own life, grabbing the world with your hands, feels amazing.”