Britain’s Got Talent’s Amy Lou Smith has praised medical staff after welcoming their newborn daughter Aida on Saturday – after nearly dying after giving birth to their first child Hudson.
The aspiring singer, 34, wowed both the judges and fans of the ITV show when she performed Beyoncé’s 2006 powerhouse hit lists from the film Dreamgirls during her pre-taped 30-week audition, which lasted just four hours this weekend was aired after she gave birth.
Amy said she was treated like ‘king’ in the infirmary, where she first saw her audition on her phone, unaware that it was airing during the opening episode of this year’s series.
But she was in a very different place giving birth to her first child Hudson, four, after nearly dying from complications with sepsis following his birth, and she would not have survived unless nurses acted quickly in time.
Amy exclusively told Web: “I can’t thank the nurses enough who delivered my baby girl safely. They are the real stars!
Grateful: Britain’s Got Talent’s Amy Lou Smith, 34, has praised the nurses after welcoming their baby daughter on Saturday – after nearly dying after giving birth to their first child
Born to perform: Her taped audition took place when she was 30 weeks pregnant and the moment aired this weekend just four hours after she gave birth to her new baby
“Even though their jobs are very busy and stressful, they still made us feel like royalty.
“I almost lost my life after my first birth due to complications with sepsis, it was really up and down.
“I can never thank the nurses enough for saving my life – Aida wouldn’t be here without them – because without them I wouldn’t have survived.”
Sepsis is the body’s extreme, life-threatening response to infection that sets off a chain reaction and a variety of symptoms, including shortness of breath, increased heart rate, confusion or disorientation, fever, and extreme pain, among others.
All four judges – Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and newcomer Bruno Tonioli – unanimously voted her through to the next round of the talent show during her audition, with Amy receiving a standing ovation from the audience for her impressive performance.
Just four hours before her audition aired on ITV1, Amy welcomed baby Aida into the world, three months after the moment was filmed at the London Palladium.
Now, Amy has gushed over the newborn, saying she was a “bundle of utter joy,” revealing they watched the audition on her phone from her hospital bed.
She continued to Web: “We are so in love as a family. Aida has settled in well and is a real bundle of joy. I feel so blessed to have had our little girl.
Setup: Amy said she was treated like ‘royalty’ in the infirmary where she first watched her audition on her cell phone, having no idea her audition was due to air this weekend
Little one: She was in a very different place when she gave birth to her first child Hudson, four, after nearly dying after complications with sepsis following his birth (new daughter Aida pictured)
Happy: Amy praised the hospital staff, exclusively telling Web: ‘I can’t thank the nurses enough for delivering my little girl safely to the world. They are the real stars!’
Timing: Amy, who is already a mother to four-year-old Hudson, gave birth to Aida at 3:59 p.m. on Saturday and her audition, the first of this year’s series, was televised just after 8 p.m
“We watched the audition from the hospital bed on my phone so it was the smallest screen but it was such a special moment between my family and I.
“We all huddled together around a tiny phone screen, but it’s a moment we’ll always remember.
“We had (sort of) our own viewing party at the station. Aida slept for most of the show, but she made sure to be awake to see herself on screen.
“Aida slept for most of the show, but she made sure she was awake to see herself on screen.”
She added of fans’ reaction to her audience, “I got such a nice reaction from people who saw my audition – it feels like Aida was born into a big BGT family – one day old and already in the newspapers!
“So I think she’ll be a handful considering she had the celebrity treatment at 24 hours of age. The kindness I received from people was so special and I keep pinching myself.
And Amy joked that presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly would have to feed their little one while she performs while she watches from the wings during the next phase.
Amy explained: “Hopefully I’ll make it to the next round but if not I’m so grateful for this opportunity. BGT has done more for my singing dreams than I could ever have imagined.
“Those things don’t happen to me – I feel like I’ll wake up soon and it will all have been a dream.
Born to perform: Amy received a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli during Saturday night’s program
“If we get through to the live shows I might have to ask Ant and Dec to do the feeds while I’m offstage! You have to babysit!
“But the little girl will definitely be with me – with her hearing protection!”
She concluded, “All I’ve ever wanted to do is be able to provide the best life for my family and make them proud and happy.
“I’ve been doing local bits n bobs and performances to try and play a fake artist but being with BGT really feels like my dreams are coming true.
“Everything seems to line up, and it just doesn’t feel real. I can’t stop smiling – people knowing my name – it’s just surreal!’
Amy, who is already a mother to four-year-old Hudson, gave birth to Aida at 3:59 p.m. on Saturday, and her audition, the first of this year’s series, was televised just after 8 p.m. that same day.
She said she had no idea her audition would be featured in the first episode, describing it as “perfect timing.”
Amy received a standing ovation from judges Simon, Amanda, Alesha and Bruno during Saturday night’s program.
Simon told her, “It just doesn’t happen. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so connected to an audience in all the years I’ve been doing this. Whatever happens next will be amazing. Really, you deserve it.”
While Amanda added, “The moment you started singing I had goosebumps. I figured your baby might be sleeping in there for a bit and then she’s like, ‘Oh, here we go!’ You are a star.’
Impressed: All four judges sent Amy through to the next round of the competition (LR: Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell)
Former Strictly Come Dancing panelist Bruno said, “The standard of a true artist is to take a song from Beyoncé but make it completely your own. The interpretation was on another level. you really are a revelation.’
And Alesha remarked, “This was by far my favorite audition ever!”
An impressive 6.2 million viewers tuned in to the first episode of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent series.
The latest series from Britain’s Got Talent continues next Saturday at 19.45 on ITV1 and ITVX.