A VILLAGE rocker wowed audiences as he made an appearance on a prime-time TV talent show.

Kenny Petrie, from Panfield, took his guitar-playing skills to London as he made a special appearance on Britain’s Got Talent.

Originally from Scotland, the 64-year-old began his musical career by learning both the bagpipes and the piano, but after hearing Jimmy Hendrix for the first time, he found himself drawn to the guitar.

Kenny is part of a band called Mr Spankey and the Hipthrusters, and has played several gigs in Braintree, at venues like the popular Boars Head Pub.

He saw the opportunity to go on TV as a chance to raise his musical profile.

Gazette:

He said: “I did this really because I wanted to raise my profile and get back into music.

“I just thought, how else can you get into prime time TV, it was a great choice.”

Kenny went through the sign-up process in early 2020, but after cancellations, finished the process at the end of 2021.

He performed his audition in January in front of more than 2,000 people at the London Palladium, where he wowed all four judges and the audience.

He said: “The whole experience was amazing, on the day when I went up there the support from everyone, the quality of the production team and attention to detail from staff was phenomenal, it surprised me how good it was.

“They were all so professional but fun and somebody from the show next to me most of the time.

“The only time I got nervous was when I walked out onto that big stage on my own, but when I started playing and the backtrack started, I just went for it.

“It was a wonderful feeling, and a really good experience, the judges were lovely.

“I didn’t really tell that many people, but after Saturday night, I had lots of responses and support from everyone.

“I was just really happy to get on the telly on a Saturday night.”

Kenny will be heading back to Panfield with a yes from all four judges and is back performing with his band at the Boards Head Pub in Braintree on Wednesday, June 1.