BRITAIN’S Got Talent star Wayne Woodward has revealed how he suffered a terrifying epileptic fit moments after winning through to tonight’s final.
Singer Wayne collapsed backstage without warning after singing Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life and nearly bit
through his tongue.
At the time it was reported he had fainted due to an “adrenaline crash” but he told our sister paper the Mirror yesterday it was his first ever epileptic fit.
Wayne was unable to eat or speak properly for two days, leading to concern he would have to withdraw from the final.
But the 21-year-old returned to training on Thursday, even though there is a chance he will have another fit, as he bids to fulfil his dream of singing at the Royal Variety Show by winning the final.
Wayne, from Surrey, said: “I was worried I was going be diagnosed with epilepsy and I wouldn’t be able to sing properly or perform in the final.
“It has knocked my confidence, I’m scared it’s going to happen again in front of all those people.
“But nothing’s going to stop me now, even if I have to leave every show in an ambulance. I have been working for this for so long, I’m not going to give up when I’m so close to my dream.”
Wayne was the first contestant to make it into this year’s final after impressing viewers on Monday night.
After the results were announced, he spoke to Britain’s Got More Talent presenter Stephen Mulhern before heading backstage – but collapsed before he reached his family.
Wayne says: “I don’t remember any of it because I was unconscious but people told me I started staggering in circles a few times, almost as if I was following a fly. Then I hit the floor.
“At first people thought I was just mucking about, as if to say, ‘Phwoar, I’m glad that’s over’.
“Luckily, there was a paramedic nearby who realised it was serious and he put me on one side. I was foaming at the mouth.
“When I came round I was sat on a chair with loads of people crowded around me. I thought I was doing another interview for the cameras.
“But they were checking my blood pressure and pricking my finger to check my blood sugar levels. It was scary.”
When builder Wayne collapsed, a member of the production team dashed to fetch his dad, Wayne senior, who was waiting in the bar with the rest of the family ready to celebrate.
Lorry driver Wayne said: “When I saw him on the floor with the paramedic beside him I went from cloud nine to being dumped in the dirt. It was all over in a minute or so but it was the worst 60 seconds of my life.
“Wayne’s health is all that matters to us, not money or fame. He has been overworking himself lately because he doesn’t want to let anyone down but I’ve told him he can’t burn the candle at both ends.”
After spending the night in hospital, Wayne saw his GP and was told he had suffered an epileptic fit and needed urgent tests.
Wayne added: “That was the scariest part for me. I was worried I was going to have another seizure and I wouldn’t be able to carry on with the show.
“The doctor said there was still a little bit of electrical activity in my brain but that was from the previous seizure. That was such a relief. Then I did some research online and found out that Elton John suffered from epileptic seizures.
“That made me feel better. Hopefully I can keep on singing if I manage it properly.”
Wayne still faced a rush to be fit in time for the final.
His tongue was so swollen after the fit he had to survive on soup for two says and he could barely talk.
He said: “When I came round my tongue was the size of a tennis ball. I bit it so hard I cut it open.
“When one of the producers saw me yesterday she started crying because I collapsed at her feet. She said it was horrible to watch. But I’m back on top form now.”
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