Britain’s Got Talent winner Jon Courtenay says prize money is ‘complete life-saver’ after coronavirus left him unemployed

Comedian’s work as cruise ship entertainer had dried up during pandemic

Jon Courtenay celebrates winning Britain’s Got Talent (Rex Features)

Jon Courtenay, the winner of the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent, has said the £250,000 prize money is a “life-saver”.

The comedian, who beat off competition from Sign Along With Us and Steve Royale, was crowned champion on Saturday night (10 October).

After his victory, the former cruise ship entertainer told The Mirror his work had dried up due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Courtenay, who is married with two sons, has been out of a job since the pandemic hit and been living off life savings.

“We literally really were down to our last pennies,” he said.

“This is honestly a complete lifesaver so it’s going to help immediately and some friends and family as well that I can help out. So it’s going to be incredible. It’s been fabulous.”

Jon Courtenay on Britain’s Got Talent (Rex Features)

He added: “Short of paying off our overdraft, I’ve got friends and family that I can help out. I’m also going to give a lot of money to needy children because I’ve got children.”