FORMER Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts reached out to 2020 champion Jon Courtenay after he was targeted by cruel trolls.
Jon, 46, was gobsmacked as hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly announced he had won the ITV talent show on Saturday evening.
Simon Cowell and the BGT judges were left in tears by Jon’s original song about his late father, which earned him a firm place in the final and led to him winning the 2020 crown.
However, some viewers were quick to comment negatively on Jon’s success and claimed he would be “forgotten about in a month”.
Paul, who won the first ever series of BGT back in 2007, was quick to jump to Jon’s defence on Twitter.
The singing sensation took to Twitter on Sunday to commend Jon on becoming the 13th winner of the show.
Hitting back at the trolls, he fired: “I note usual comments after @BGT finishes (well done @joncourtenay ) about how winning isnt life changing as ‘you’re forgotten after a month’.
“Why should fame be deciding factor in success? If you can, like I have make your hobby your career and do what you love then u r a success (sic),” he added.
Jon later retweeted the post and wrote: “Thank you Paul. Very proud to be following in your footsteps x”
Some of Jon’s followers were quick to show their support too, with one person replying: “Well done Jon. All your hard work and dedication certainly paid of. Brilliant mate. Soooo Pleased for you & your family.”
A second person said: “Hi praise indeed. Fantastic. Well done Jon,” while a third added: “Big congratulations to you. Truly the best & I loved & laughed every minute. Well done well deserved & how exciting the future now holds.”
Jon faced fierce competition in Saturday’s final, with Steve Royle and Sign Along With Us also making the Top Three.
He was clearly overcome with emotion when Ant and Dec announced that he’d won, admitting he hadn’t dared to dream of the moment.
Jon exclaimed: “Don’t make me speak! I tried not to think about it as I am really bad at hiding disappointment.”
