Shaheen Jafargholi - Britain’s Got Talent - Show 2

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy who was almost kicked off a TV talent show is the best pop singer judge Simon Cowell has seen in years.

Auditioning on reality series Britain's Got Talent, schoolboy Shaheen Jafargholi upset Cowell with his version of Amy Winehouse's song Valerie.

After singing a few lines Cowell stopped him, saying, "You got this really wrong."

He asked angel-faced Jafargholi if he could sing anything else and he nominated Michael Jackson's Who's Loving You.

His rendition prompted a shocked response from the crowd and the judges, who all gave him a standing ovation.

Cowell said he was the best young pop singer he had seen in ten years, while fellow judge Amanda Hooton compared him to former contestant Paul Potts.

"Since the day I was born I have always wanted to sing," Jafargholi said, The Daily Mail reported.

"I would love to be a big recording artist. I would love to be as famous as Michael Jackson."

He said he "felt so special and blessed" when Cowell gave him a second chance.

Jafargholi, from Swansea in Wales, said he had to persuade his mother he wasn't too young to take part in the audition.

His performance drew 13 million viewers in Britain, making it the most watched TV show of the year.

It follows the headline-making appearance by 47-year-old Scottish virgin Susan Boyle on the show last week, who was such a sensation she has been invited onto The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Boyle's idol, singer Elaine Paige, has offered to do a duet with the Scot, The Sun reports.

See The Video Click Here

Because of the magical television production straight from the mind of Simon Cowell. Now, I am not out to take away from the talent of Susan or Shaheen. They both deserve the stage they've been given. But don't think for a second we'd be as behind each of them if they had simply auditioned, done well, and moved on. Without the unbeatable odds, the unlikely backstories, and the swelling music playing during the judges glowing reviews . . . it would be simply another audition on another television show.

If we hadn't known what we knew about Susan going in, would we have cared quite as much? What if she'd said nothing about living at home with Pebbles or never having been kissed? What if we didn't know her mother had recently passed? Would we have felt quite so satisfied with ourselves for not judging her harshly or underestimating her for her looks?

What if Simon had never heard Shaheen sing before the audition and never given him a second shot? What if the producers hadn't told him to bring two backing tracks? What if he auditioned with 'Valerie' and did an okay job and that was that? There would be no magic moments perfectly packaged into six minute Internet-ready clips, and all we would have are two normal looking people who can sing really, really well.

What's so bad about that? Nothing. But, when thinking of the bottom line, the pounds in Simon's pockets, why not take the unlikely and make it look impossible - creating heroes in the process and a worldwide audience clamoring to purchase their cds, concert tickets, and memorabilia. After all, these new superstars slayed the horrible dragon, they "beat Simon Cowell" - the man the world loves to hate, and for that alone they deserve accolades, no?

I personally love the setup. It makes the delivery so much better to watch. Like a well-rehearsed play or a carefully layed out fireworks display, the right timing - the correct staging - can make a moment so much better. But, next time you watch the Susan Boyle clip or young Mr. Shaheen Jafargholi down below, take a moment to thank Simon Cowell and his production talents for the emotions you feel welling up inside.

But then remember he's a jerk and get back to loving Susan and Shaheen or whichever contestant it is on any of his many, many talent shows.