Paul McDowell has his secondary school music teacher in Holbeach to thank for discovering the voice which propelled him onto Britain’s Got Talent.
The Kingdom Tenors came fourth and were eliminated in a tough semi-final of the ITV hit show on Wednesday. They gave a superb rendition of One Direction’s Story Of My Life, drawing huge praise from the judges and leaving many people – including head of the panel Simon Cowell – thinking they might reach Sunday’s final.
Speaking just before an appearance on Loose Women on Thursday, joint-group founder Paul said: “I’m really happy with how we did.
“Story Of My Life was a cunning plan to win Simon over because he wasn’t that bothered about our audition [when the group sang You Raise Me Up].”
It was late during his years at The George Farmer School (now University Academy Holbeach) that teacher Karen Blagbrough asked Paul to sing as a way of helping him to focus during lessons.
Paul (27) said: “I had a tendency to be a bit of a class clown so I think she tried to make a bit of an example of me by making me sing in front of everyone.
“I can’t remember what it was – something very generic – but it turned out to be a bit of a backfire because we both discovered I had a voice!
“I think we both felt a change at that point. She saw something in me and ‘mothered’ me, giving me the push and encouragement that I needed.
“I owe a lot to her and to [performing arts lecturer] Linda Thompson-Wild at Boston College, who submitted applications to drama schools without me knowing.”
After completing foundation and diploma courses at college, Paul, whose parents John and Kim live in Holbeach, was offered a three-year full scholarship at drama school in Nottingham.
That led to panto – playing the lead role in Aladdin – in Lichfield and then a ten-month stint in America with the Missouri-based show Shake, Rattle and Roll.
Things were moving quickly for Paul now and he enjoyed top roles entertaining on cruise ships and in 2012 had a spell living with emerging boyband The Wanted (he had made friends with member Jay McGuiness at drama school).
After another stint on a cruise ship, Paul toured England with a production of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera HMS Pinafore.
Last year he played the lead role of Warner in the musical Legally Blonde on Norwegian Cruise Line, and was lead vocalist for Burn The Floor, an American version of Strictly Come Dancing based in Miami.
“To think I was never set to leave Holbeach! It’s mad,” said Paul, who left UAH with few GCSEs. “I’m just so grateful to my parents and teachers for pushing me in the right direction. My mum, in particular, is a great believer in trying something new.”
Twelve-strong The Kingdom Tenors came about when Paul, Ash Emerson and Simon Schofield decided to form a group of lads they had met over the years with the intention of entering Britain’s Got Talent.
The best bit of the TV experience for Paul was having a laugh with the group members while shooting the video tape pieces.
“The most gutting thing is knowing there there will be no more rehearsals,” he added.
“There’s a great dynamic between the 12 of us. We’re very individual, but collectively we’ve got something special.
“We’ve all been fortunate enough to work around the world and are now looking to work a bit more closer to home.”
The one remaining chance The Kingdom Tenors have on Britain’s Got Talent this year is if they are granted the wild card entry to the final.
