Seventy-seven-year-old Mel Day from Birmingham walked onto the stage with an electrifying confidence, immediately declaring his dream was “to win this show.” Speaking about his background, Mel shared that he started singing as a young boy, even dressing up like a sailor for his first opportunity back in 1962 or 1963. Despite the competition being full of young people, Mel, who hilariously described himself as a “young old man,” asserted that he still had the fight in him. His energetic demeanor and pure ambition set him apart, proving that age was absolutely just a number for this charismatic contestant.
Mel chose to perform the classic soul hit “Say Something (You’re a Big Boy Now)” by James Brown. The moment the music started, Mel transformed into a powerhouse performer, delivering a deep, rich soul vocal with incredible energy, perfect timing, and effortless stage presence. His performance was not just a song; it was a full-on party, complete with dancing and an abundance of “swag,” as the judges would later call it. He completely owned the stage, demonstrating that the soul he had acquired over decades of life had simply never left him.
The judges were thoroughly entertained and amazed by his energy. Amanda Holden was ecstatic, praising his “naughty sparkle” and declaring, “When you’ve got soul like that, Mel, it just never leaves you.” David Walliams took the emotional response to a comedic extreme, joking, “Mel, you made me pregnant during that performance.” Simon Cowell, sensing a deep and complex history, asked if Mel had been a recording artist, to which Mel admitted he had been let down many times. Simon concluded that perhaps “timing is everything,” and maybe now was his time. With a resounding four “yeses,” Mel Day proved that a truly great act can come in any age package.
