Britain’s Got Talent 2026 ended in major celebration — and immediate controversy — after Hawkstone Farmers Choir were crowned this year’s winners.
The farming choir beat a packed and varied line-up of finalists to win £250,000 and a place at the Royal Variety Performance. Their victory also made history, as they became the first choir ever to win Britain’s Got Talent. But while many fans were moved by their story and performance, not everyone was convinced by the final result.
The live final was described as one of the closest in the show’s history, with Hawkstone Farmers Choir narrowly beating Celestial, the drone performance group. The result sparked a huge reaction online, with some viewers praising the choir’s sincerity and emotional message, while others argued that more visually spectacular or technically ambitious acts had been overlooked.
This year’s final brought together a wide mix of talent. Alongside Hawkstone Farmers Choir and Celestial, the line-up included singer Matty Juniosa, dog act Anastasiia and Salsa, magician Rafferty Coope, poet Sonny Green, comedian Ted Hill, dance act Sadeck Berrabah and LMA, magician Fabian Fox, and fire performer Liwei Yang.
With so many different styles on stage, fans had very different ideas about who deserved to win. Some had expected Celestial’s drone show to take the prize because of its scale and originality. Others believed Sonny Green or another standout act had done enough to claim the title.
When Hawkstone Farmers Choir were announced as winners, reaction split quickly. Supporters said the group represented everything Britain’s Got Talent should be about: real people, real emotion, and a story that touched the public. Their message about farmers, rural communities, and mental health gave their performance a powerful meaning beyond the music.
Critics, however, questioned whether the result was influenced by the choir’s connection to Jeremy Clarkson, who was in the audience watching the final. Clarkson’s visible support became a major talking point, with some viewers wondering whether his popularity helped bring extra attention to the group.
Still, those defending the choir argued that the public vote spoke for itself. For them, Hawkstone Farmers Choir won because they connected with people emotionally, not because of celebrity backing. Their victory showed that a heartfelt performance can still beat spectacle when it reaches viewers in the right way.
The debate is likely to continue, but that may be exactly why this final will be remembered. Britain’s Got Talent has always been at its most talked-about when the public strongly disagrees, and 2026 delivered a result that left viewers divided.
Whether fans loved the outcome or felt another act deserved the crown, Hawkstone Farmers Choir have now secured their place in BGT history. Their win was emotional, surprising, and controversial — the kind of result that keeps Britain talking long after the confetti has fallen.
