Isaac Waddington
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Isaac Waddington
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| birth_name = Isaac Waddington
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|8|9|df=yes}}
| birth_place =
| origin = England, United Kingdom
| instrument = Vocals, piano, guitar
| genre =
| occupation = Singer
| years_active = 2015–
| label = Syco Music
| associated_acts =
}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/local/chichester-gets-behind-isaac-waddington-in-britain-s-got-talent-final-1-6770607 |title=Chichester gets behind Isaac Waddington in Britain's Got Talent final |work=Chichester Observer |date=31 May 2015}} In 2012, he won the BBC Radio 2 Chorister of the Year competition, leading to an appearance on Songs of Praise.{{cite news |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-04-25/isaac-waddington-the-15-year-old-bgt-act-who-entranced-the-judges-and-made-the-audience-cry |title=Isaac Waddington, the 15-year-old BGT act who entranced the judges and made the audience cry |date=25 April 2015 |work=Radio Times}}
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.
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.{{cite news |url=http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/britains-got-talent/britains-got-talent-2015-punter-bets-10k-on-calum-scott-winning-but-will-cor-glanaethwy-triumph/ |publisher=UnrealityTV |title=Britain's Got Talent 2015: Punter bets £10k on Calum Scott winning, but will Côr Glanaethwy triumph? |date=30 May 2015}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/tv-radio/581282/Britain-s-Got-Talent-final-2015-Simon-Cowell-Amanda-Holden |title=Britain's Got Talent 2015: Could Isaac Waddington's performance be a game changer? |date=31 May 2015 |work=Daily Express}} Despite finishing fifth overall, with 9.7% of the public vote, he was signed by Cowell's label, Syco, within a week.{{cite news |title=Simon Cowell has signed BGT star Isaac Waddington after spell-binding performance in the live final |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/simon-cowell-signed-bgt-star-5828023 |work=Daily Mirror |date=5 June 2015}}
=2018-present: Singles and EP releases=
Waddington released his debut single, 'Nothing's Changed', in February 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/nothings-changed-is-isaac-waddingtons-calling-card |title='Nothing's Changed' Is Isaac Waddington's Calling Card |date=20 Feb 2018 |work=Clash Magazine}} In 2019, he released one song a week for five weeks, beginning with the song 'Make It Better'.{{cite news |url=https://www.gigwise.com/features/3320865/track-by-track-isaac-waddington-blurs-the-lines-between-contemporary-and-nostalgia-on-latest-releases |title=Track By Track: Isaac Waddington blurs the lines between contemporary and nostalgia on latest release |date=29 May 2019 |work=Gigwise}} 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."{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/radio-roundup-disclosure-channel-tres-kennyhoopla-angel-olsen-2747273|title=NME Radio Roundup 7 September 2020: Disclosure & Channel Tres, KennyHoopla, Angel Olsen and more|website=NME|date=7 September 2020|access-date=11 March 2023}}
In 2022, Waddington released his third EP, Still Not Over You.{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0d1yInOFjXku6x9Bv3NdbD?si=TFGurGQ-RICpIQxpAxmuLA|title=Still Not Over You by Isaac Waddington|website=Spotify|date=18 September 2022|access-date=11 March 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/still-not-over-you-ep/1630628007|title=Still Not Over You|website=Apple Music|date=18 September 2020|access-date=11 March 2023}}
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. {{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WaddingtonIsaac/status/1305150842899697664?s=20|title=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!|website=Twitter|date=13 September 2020|access-date=11 March 2023}} He was a dear friend of Alex 'Chipmunk' Butler.https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Alexander-A-Butler-2219571206
Discography
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:19em;"| Details |
| scope="row"| Borselli: The EP{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1Ifa29IVQFCtb4K82SVZZu?si=-eeYZ0xSTiu1uohir3pWEg|title=Borselli: The EP by Isaac Waddington|website=Spotify|date=22 June 2018|access-date=11 March 2023}}
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Dirty Mile{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4Wdue0sHptYsJaHiPjlQkP?si=isEfF_TnTdudUoePvsUqug|title=Dirty Mile EP by Isaac Waddington|website=Spotify|date=18 September 2020|access-date=11 March 2023}}
|
|
| scope="row"| Still Not Over You
|
|
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and originating album ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row"| "Nothing's Changed"
|rowspan="6"| 2018 | Borselli: The EP |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Japanese Denim" (with Mahogany)
| rowspan="11" {{n/a|Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Ready When You Are" (with Mathilda Homer) |
| scope="row"| "Someone Like Me" (featuring Piers James) |
| scope="row"| "Paper" (Isaac Remix) (with Shungudzo) |
| scope="row"| "Enjoy the Ride" (with Joe Beard and Mathilda Homer) |
| scope="row"| "Make It Better"
|rowspan="6"| 2019 |
| scope="row"| "Let Me Into Your Heart" |
| scope="row"| "Loving You Is Easy" (Live) |
| scope="row"| "Hit The Ceiling" |
| scope="row"| "Time With You" |
| scope="row"| "The Way Things Were" (with edbl) |
| scope="row"| "Other Way"
|rowspan="2"| 2020 |rowspan="2"| Dirty Mile EP |
| scope="row"| "Bright Skies" |
| scope="row"| "Beggin' Man" (with Evil Genius)
| 2022 | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Facebook|isaacwaddingtonmusic}}
{{Britain's Got Talent}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Waddington, Isaac}}
Category:Musicians from Portsmouth
Category:People educated at The Prebendal School
Category:People educated at The Portsmouth Grammar School
Category:Britain's Got Talent contestants