Isaac Waddington

Isaac Waddington
Birth nameIsaac Waddington
Born (1999-08-09) 9 August 1999 (age 25)
OriginEngland, United Kingdom
OccupationSinger
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active2015–
LabelsSyco Music

Isaac Waddington (born 9 August 1999) is an English singer and pianist, who came to national attention when he appeared as a contestant on the TV programme Britain's Got Talent in 2015.

Early life and education

Waddington's singing career began as a chorister at Chichester Cathedral, during which time he also attended The Prebendal School. He went on to become Head Chorister of the cathedral choir and studied at The Portsmouth Grammar School.[1] In 2012, he won the BBC Radio 2 Chorister of the Year competition, leading to an appearance on Songs of Praise.[2]

Career

2015: Britain's Got Talent

On 25 April 2015, Waddington's audition for the ninth series of Britain's Got Talent was broadcast on ITV. The cover of "She's Always a Woman" by Billy Joel, was met with 'four yeses' from the judge panel and received a generally positive response from the press.[2]

Waddington was chosen to go through to the live semi-finals of the competition, performing on the fourth night (28 May). His rendition of Bonnie Raitt's song, "I Can't Make You Love Me" resulted in a standing ovation throughout the stadium. He won the semi-final, going through to the finals. Following his success in the semi-final, Waddington's odds for winning the finals were slashed by betting agencies, with Ladbrokes putting his chances on 9/1.[3] Isaac was unaware of this the whole time.

For the finals, on 31 May, Waddington sang his audition piece, She's Always a Woman, again. It garnered another positive reaction. Head judge Simon Cowell commented on how "little changes" had made a big difference, developing his performance since his initial appearance.[4] Despite finishing fifth overall, with 9.7% of the public vote, he was signed by Cowell's label, Syco, within a week.[5]

2018-present: Singles and EP releases

Waddington released his debut single, 'Nothing's Changed', in February 2018.[6] In 2019, he released one song a week for five weeks, beginning with the song 'Make It Better'.[7] In September 2020, he released a new EP, “Dirty Mile”, named after the titular track. The EP was preceded by the single "Bright Skies", which was praised by NME, opining that the song, "with its euphoric melodies and dramatic, soul-laced vocals, [is] a gorgeous song brimming with optimism."[8]

In 2022, Waddington released his third EP, Still Not Over You.[9][10]

Personal life

In September 2020, Waddington announced that he would be cycling that month to raise money for the British Red Cross "Miles For Refugees" appeal.[11]

Discography

Extended plays

List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details
Borselli: The EP[12]
  • Released: 22 June 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Dirty Mile[13]
  • Released: 22 June 2018
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Still Not Over You
  • Released: 14 July 2022
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and originating album
Title Year Album
"Nothing's Changed" 2018 Borselli: The EP
"Japanese Denim" (with Mahogany) Non-album singles
"Ready When You Are"
(with Mathilda Homer)
"Someone Like Me"
(featuring Piers James)
"Paper" (Isaac Remix) (with Shungudzo)
"Enjoy the Ride"
(with Joe Beard and Mathilda Homer)
"Make It Better" 2019
"Let Me Into Your Heart"
"Loving You Is Easy" (Live)
"Hit The Ceiling"
"Time With You"
"The Way Things Were" (with edbl)
"Other Way" 2020 Dirty Mile EP
"Bright Skies"
"Beggin' Man" (with Evil Genius) 2022 Non-album single

References

  1. ^ "Chichester gets behind Isaac Waddington in Britain's Got Talent final". Chichester Observer. 31 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Isaac Waddington, the 15-year-old BGT act who entranced the judges and made the audience cry". Radio Times. 25 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Britain's Got Talent 2015: Punter bets £10k on Calum Scott winning, but will Côr Glanaethwy triumph?". UnrealityTV. 30 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Britain's Got Talent 2015: Could Isaac Waddington's performance be a game changer?". Daily Express. 31 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Simon Cowell has signed BGT star Isaac Waddington after spell-binding performance in the live final". Daily Mirror. 5 June 2015.
  6. ^ "'Nothing's Changed' Is Isaac Waddington's Calling Card". Clash Magazine. 20 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Track By Track: Isaac Waddington blurs the lines between contemporary and nostalgia on latest release". Gigwise. 29 May 2019.
  8. ^ "NME Radio Roundup 7 September 2020: Disclosure & Channel Tres, KennyHoopla, Angel Olsen and more". NME. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Still Not Over You by Isaac Waddington". Spotify. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Still Not Over You". Apple Music. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Hello Twitter people. Just wanted to let you know that I will be doing some cycling this month to raise money for British Red Cross 'Miles For Refugees'. You can donate via this link if you want to help raise!". Twitter. 13 September 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Borselli: The EP by Isaac Waddington". Spotify. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Dirty Mile EP by Isaac Waddington". Spotify. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2023.