A farmer who lives near Swindon is over the moon after her choir backed by Jeremy Clarkson got the ‘golden buzzer’ in Britain’s Got Talent.
The Hawkstone Farmers Choir was brought together by Jeremy Clarkson and now works to promote British agriculture.
Among its many members is Sally-Ann Spence, a 53-year-old from Berrycroft Farm in Ashbury, just a few miles outside of Swindon.
The choir recently auditioned for the 19th season of Britain’s Got Talent at the Birmingham Hippodrome, in an episode that aired on Saturday, March 22.
They performed in front of a unique judging panel that was without Simon Cowell and featured Amanda Holden alongside Alesha Dixon, KSI and guest judge Stacey Solomon.
The choir’s rendition of Elbow’s One Day Like This brought Amanda to tears and she slammed the ‘golden buzzer’, which sent them straight through to the live semi-finals.
She said: “As soon as you started I completely welled up, I felt so much power.
“I love the whole community, I love how you’ve all got together and worked your arses off, you work so hard every single day.
“You absolutely smashed it and I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do in the semi-finals, congratulations.”
Sally-Ann, who can normally be found conducting biodiversity surveys of dung beetles, described the experience as “awesome” and a mix of excitement and nerves.
“The excitement amongst us all was tangible,” she said.
The group was first brought together by a search for singers for a Hawkstone lager project.
It has since become a vital support network for Sally-Ann and other farmers from further afield.
Sally-Ann added: “I personally know of many who have struggled, still are struggling, and have had friends take their own lives. I’m singing on that stage for British farming and for them.
“The choir has become a family.”
Sally-Ann added that the close bond with like-minded people has been a major boost for her mental health while juggling long hours and multiple responsibilities.
She described herself as a polymath working in entomology, ecology, archaeology, and palaeontology, and often returns home “stinking of dung”.
As well as working with dung beetles, she works with vets to reduce livestock treatments and runs heritage craft workshops.
She believes the performance was a powerful way to get “farming out there in a positive light”.
The choir’s core mission is promoting British farming and supporting mental health charities within the sector.
Following their TV debut, the choir is planning further projects in 2026.
