In Conversation With...Paul Burling

There was a time in Britain's Got Talent land when a comedian was put into the show purely to show how poor their gag telling abilities were. Soon they were buzzed off and ushered out the building without even getting the chance to explain their joke to Simon and the crew.

Then Paul Burling came along!

Paul Burling - or is it Harry Hill?

From his first audition he had the panel laughing. And the many millions at home. Those viewers put Paul into the final. Although he fell short to overall winner Spellbound he had made his impression (see what I did there!) on the British public. Since then Paul has gone onto have his own show on ITV and launch his own iPhone app.

Here's what happened when we caught up with Paul to chat about his BGT experience...

Why did you decide to go on Britain's Got Talent and what did you hope to gain from the show?

After gigging around the country for years, I thought I'd just give it a go! I didn't know what I'd get out of it as it could have gone terribly wrong, booed off or buzzed, so I went in not expecting anything!

You reached the final in 2010 - what was your highlight and lowlight of the show?

My highlight was probably the audition at the Cardiff Millennium Centre, getting a standing ovation from 3000 people was very moving and the comments from the judges was incredible. My wife still cries now if we see it!

Which of the contestants, if any, are you still in contact with?

We had a great bunch in 2010, we all got on great & doing the tour after was great fun. I keep in touch with Tobias Mead, Twist & Pulse, Christopher Stone, Connected (now Reconnected). In fact most of the class of 2010!

What would you say the show has done for your career in comedy?

It's just raised my profile & opened a few doors that wasn't opened before, like having my own hour special on ITV1. Also getting to meet & work with comedy idols like Harry Hill & Matt Lucas to name drop!!!

Would you do the show again in hindsight?

Yep, only because it went well & was fun times. I'd like to have had David Walliams as a judge. I'd like to think we'd have a good laugh!

What advice would you give to people thinking about applying to Britain's Got Talent?

Do your best, keep true to yourself & whatever happens your family & friends will still love you...aaah! That's what I told a couple of friends who have got to the final since I did the show!

And who were those "friends" of yours then Paul? ;)

This year I spoke to & tried to advise/help Francine Lewis & Steve Hewlett

Finally, a lot has been made of the BGT management of its contestants...We're you managed well by their team?

When I did the show, I was treated great by everyone involved.

Got to say that when having our little chat Paul was such a lovely guy. Honest answers to all our questions. A pleasure to interview!

You can find Paul on Twitter @MrPaulBurling or why not check out these clips of his audition, semi-final and final performance at the bottom of this post!

Paul Burling - BGT Audition

Paul Burling - BGT Semi-Final

Paul Burling - BGT FInal