Piers Morgan wrote in his official blog that Britain’s Got Talent was about to serve up “a tiny young girl singer still to come, who will melt your heart, I promise you”. Ladies and gentlemen, meet little Miss Hollie Steel.

10 year-old Hollie appeared at the Manchester auditions and stood in a tiny tutu on the huge empty stage. She ballet danced – a little awkwardly, perhaps – and then opened her mouth to sing the My Fair Lady hit I Could Have Danced All Night.

Until that point, the judges had been getting a little twitchy in the buzzer vicinity. But when that voice rang out, all four bigwigs took a sharp intake of breath instead.

Clear and loud, the child from Accrington Lancashire completed her verses. And by the time she was done, Kelly Brook was in tears and all had made up their minds.

Amanda, a former child performer herself, smiled maternally and grinned, “It was like looking in a mirror. It’s ridiculous how much talent you have. The voice that came out of you I was stunned at”.

Kelly recovered enough to praise, “You were incredible. Beautiful and lovely”.

And Piers was impressed: “We have seen lots of children on the show in three years now and I have never heard anyone sing as well as you”.

Simon, tempering his praise a little, finished off.

“Hollie, Hollie, Hollie, I didn’t like what you were wearing because you came over as typical little girl who wants to be a ballerina.”

“I wasn’t crazy about the song then I heard you sing.

“I think, Hollie, that you have a fantastic voice. I really do. I think maybe you are better than you think you are.

“And you are sailing through.”