Reuben Grey has always loved performing, and his dad is his biggest fan.
The 16-year-old from Guildford, Surrey, started playing the piano at age 7 and writing original songs at age 10. He also knows how to play guitar and saxophone, incorporating all three into his original pieces.
Although both his parents support him immensely, Reuben holds a special bond with his father, Toby Gray, who works away from home nine months of out the year. He’s a former Commander of the Coldstream Guards, but now works a security position that still takes him away from home. This was the case during Reuben’s Britain’s Got Talent audition.
“He’s away working so he can’t be here today,” Reuben told the camera.
“I don’t feel like it’s right without him being here.”
For the audition, Reuben has chosen to sing an original song called “Lifeline”.
During his chat with the judges, he reveals he’d written the song about his girlfriend. He hadn’t been treating her right, and she dumped him. They’ve since gotten back together, but the song was written during their split. “[My dad] says he likes [the song]— but that’s because he’s my dad,” the teen laughed.
Before his audition, the judges ask Reuben who’s his biggest supporter— to which he instantly answers his dad.
“More than your mom?” Simon replies, putting Reuben in an awkward spot. As the teen shyly grins and tries to think of an appropriate response, someone stands up in the crowd.
“Yes, I am!” shouts Reuben’s father…
And the teen’s eyes bulge out of his head.
“I didn’t think he was here,” Reuben says in disbelief.
“I thought he was working!
“He works away from home a lot, and whenever I play anywhere, he’ll always come.”
Finally, it’s time for him to perform.
Sitting at the piano, the teen begins to play a soft ballad reminiscent of a piece by Ed Sheeran or Michael Buble. The song is heart-wrenching, his voice betraying the passion beneath the surface.
With lyrics like, “I didn’t mean to bruise your heart/ I’m so sorry it drove us apart,” the song is an impassioned plea for forgiveness, the simple piano creating the perfect backdrop for the teen’s voice
As he sings, you can see his father in the audience beaming with pride.
When he finishes, the entire crowd and all four judges are forced to their feet.
“What a talented young man you are,” David Walliams exclaims. “It’s incredible to write such a beautiful song at your tender age, to sing it so beautifully. It was incredible.”
“I have so much admiration for you,” Amanda Holden adds. “You’re up there; you’re bearing your heart and soul. I’m sure your dad was proud.”
Since being uploaded a few weeks ago, Reuben’s audition has been viewed thousands of times.
The boy is clearly a talented musician— but the emotional surprise from his father definitely takes the cake. Comments on the video read:
“I can’t believe what I hear! That’s SO GOOD.”
“Outstanding.”
“That was so emotional.”
Watch the video below!
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