Singer Joe is top talent in contest

Gone were the cutting comments of Simon Cowell, replaced with glowing praise from the judges for each of the 16 acts who took to the stage at the city's Grand Theatre on Saturday night.

But it was Bilston singer Joe Johnson, aged 70, who stole the show and took home a £2,500 cheque with his powerful rendition of Nessun Dorma. Retired office furniture salesman Joe, of Merstone Close, won two standing ovations and moved some in the audience to tears. Watched by his proud wife Brenda, 71, he told the audience: "I'm just absolutely gobsmacked. It's been a wonderful, wonderful day."

The father-of-two dedicated his win to his first granddaughter Ava, who was eight weeks old yesterday. He has been singing his entire life, performing at cabaret clubs and operatic societies around the region.

The pensioner, who has a part-time job cleaning ambulances at Bilston ambulance station, said: "It was fantastic. I didn't ever really consider that I'd win, so it was a bit of a shock. I'd like to follow this up with something else, perhaps another show.

"I have thought about going on Britain's Got Talent and people have been saying I should. I may just do that next year."

More than 300 acts, made up of 500 performers, battled to get through to the final at a series of heats held in recent months.

Organisers at Lions Clubs in the region hope the event has raised thousands of pounds for Promise Dreams, the Wolverhampton-based national charity.

Judges included Express & Star theatre critic Alison Norton and Black Country psychic Philip Solomon.

Other acts vying for glory included, the Fizzog Theatre Company, a comedy skit featuring four women. Jacky Fellows, 46, from Wombourne, was one quarter of the group. Jacky said: "There's lots of singers and dancers but we're something completely different. It's been brilliant for us."

Dance troupe Back 2 Back were in the same vein as Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity. Miss Black Country 2009, Danielle Talbot, 17, of Lauderdale Gardens, Bushbury, added a touch of glamour to the night with her singing talents.

Mother-of-three Yvonne Milligan, aged 44, from Perton, performed Wind Beneath My Wings. In 1998, she appeared on Stars In Their Eyes as Karen Carpenter and has worked on cruise ships. Yvonne said: "It's been a lovely experience." And she praised organisers for their "warm and friendly" approach.

Emily Baker, 17, also from Wombourne, sang solo in a glamorous ball gown.

Preparations will soon be getting under way for next year's event, which organisers say will be bigger still.