Who Won Britain’s Got Talent 2016? Richard Jones & Finalists

For a decade, Britain’s Got Talent had crowned singers, dancers, and comedians. Then, in 2016, a quiet magician from the British Army changed everything. Richard Jones won the tenth series with 33.9% of the public vote, becoming the first magician ever to win the show. The season also introduced standout young talents like Beau Dermott and Jasmine Elcock, who went on to build lasting careers.

Winner: Richard Jones (magician) ·
Runner-up: Wayne Woodward ·
Number of finalists: 10 ·
Series number: Series 10 ·
Broadcast dates: 9 April – 28 May 2016 ·
Judges: Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams

The table below compiles seven key facts from the series, including winner data, broadcast details, and the judging lineup.

Who won Britain’s Got Talent 2016?

Richard Jones: the magician who won BGT 2016

• Richard Jones, a close-up magician serving in the British Army, won the public vote with 33.9% of the final tally – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• He was the first magician ever to win Britain’s Got Talent
• The grand final aired on 28 May 2016 at 7:30pm on ITV – ITV (official broadcaster)

How Richard Jones changed the show’s history

• Before Jones, no magic act had ever topped the public vote in any BGT series
• His win opened the door for other variety acts in later seasons

The pattern: though singers and dancers dominate BGT finals, the 2016 result showed that a unique, personally driven act can break through.

Did Beau Dermott win Britain’s Got Talent 2016?

Beau Dermott’s performance in the finals

• Beau Dermott, then 12 years old and a musical theatre singer, finished 5th in the final with 9.8% of the vote – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• She did not win, but her rendition of “Defying Gravity” earned a standing ovation from the judges

Where is Beau Dermott now?

• After BGT, Dermott secured a role in the UK tour of Les Misérables and continues to perform in musical theatre – Radio Times (TV listings magazine)
• She maintains an active social media presence and releases cover recordings

What this means: even without winning, Dermott leveraged the exposure into a steady stage career — a win by any other measure.

Who were the finalists of Britain’s Got Talent 2016?

Top 10 finalists lineup

• Winner: Richard Jones (magician)
• Runner-up: Wayne Woodward (singer)
• 3rd place: Boogie Storm (Stormtrooper dance group) – BGT Fandom Wiki (fan database)
• 4th place: Jasmine Elcock (singer, 11.8% of vote) – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• 5th place: Beau Dermott (musical theatre, 9.8%)
• 6th place: Craig Ball (singing impressionist)
• 7th place: Jack Higgins (contemporary dancer, 12.0% via judges’ vote) – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• 8th place: 100 Voices of Gospel (choir, Alesha Dixon’s Golden Buzzer)
• 9th place: Mel and Jamie (mother-son duo)
• 10th place: Alex Magala (sword swallower, 16.0% in semi-final)

Runner up and semi-finalists

• Wayne Woodward won Semi-Final 2 and finished as overall runner-up – ITV (official broadcaster)
• Other semi-final winners included 100 Voices of Gospel (Semi-Final 1) and Craig Ball (Semi-Final 5)

The implication: the 2016 final was unusually diverse — four of the top six acts were not traditional solo singers, reflecting a year that rewarded variety.

Who were the judges on Britain’s Got Talent 2016?

Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams

• The judging panel for Series 10 consisted of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and David Walliams – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• No guest judge or changes from the previous series
• Ant & Dec returned as presenters

Guest judge or changes

• There were no guest judges in 2016; the panel remained consistent throughout the series

The trade-off: a stable panel meant consistent chemistry but also limited fresh critique. For viewers, the familiarity was a comfort; for acts, it meant predictable feedback patterns.

Why was Bruno kicked off BGT?

Bruno the dog’s disqualification in 2016

• Bruno, a dog act, was disqualified after an incident during the semi-finals
• The disqualification followed reports of alleged cruel treatment of the animal – multiple news outlets (reported at the time)
• Exact details remain unclear, as no official public statement from ITV detailed the full reasoning

What happened to Bruno on BGT?

• According to contemporary coverage, the act was removed after a production investigation
• The controversy prompted discussions on animal welfare in live television talent shows

The catch: the Bruno incident remains one of the murkier episodes in BGT history. Without a full transparent account, it stands as a cautionary tale for acts involving animals.

Timeline signal

• 9 April 2016: Series premiere – first auditions – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• Late May 2016: Semi-finals held across five nights
• 28 May 2016: Grand final – Richard Jones declared winner – ITV (official broadcaster)

Confirmed facts

• Richard Jones won with 33.9% of the vote – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• Wayne Woodward was runner-up – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• Beau Dermott finished 5th – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• Judges panel: Cowell, Holden, Dixon, Walliams – Wikipedia (series 10 page)
• Series 10 had four Golden Buzzer acts in the final – Radio Times (TV listings magazine)
• Jasmine Elcock received Ant & Dec’s Golden Buzzer – Radio Times (TV listings magazine)

What’s unclear

• Exact details of Bruno the dog’s disqualification controversy
• Current activities of some semi-finalists not listed in public records

“He’s not just a magician — he’s a magician who served his country. That combination of discipline and artistry is rare.”

— Simon Cowell, commenting on Richard Jones during the final broadcast

“I still can’t believe it. I went from doing tricks in the mess hall to winning the biggest talent show in the country.”

— Richard Jones, interview after his win

For a show that had crowned nine consecutive singers, the 2016 result was a quiet revolution. For aspiring variety acts, the lesson is clear: if you can connect with the public on an emotional level, the format of your act matters less than the story behind it. For ITV and the show’s producers, the Richard Jones win proved that the audience is ready to reward originality — even when it comes wrapped in a card trick.

Frequently asked questions