Reality TV
Your performance couldn't have gone much better in the semi. Were you not nervous?
"I don't particularly get nervous, but I can be honest with you in saying that I was this time. Nerves can make you play well, but they can also go the other way. I think I got away with it and it was obviously good enough to get me through, which makes me so, so happy. It's kind of all just sinking in. The final's here now, so I don't have so long to panic, but I am starting to realise now that I'm through to the last ten. Which for me as just a saxophone player, I think, is quite an achievement itself."
Was it extra special to hear Simon praising you after your performance?
"I know! He said that he doesn't normally like acts like me, which I think is even more of a positive compliment than if he had liked me all along. I had more persuading to do. I've taken that as a real, real positive."
Were you concerned about what the judges might say? They've turned on certain acts like Jamie Pugh and the Brit Chix.
"I know, the Brit Chix were just before me, weren't they? As I was straight after them I didn't really have time to think about it, but I kind of got friendly with them during the process, so it was quite hard to hear that happen to them before I went on. It was a bit shocking to see them get three buzzers. I thought that was harsh."
You must have had thousands of people voting for you. Do you feel like a celebrity yet?
"I always wonder about that word 'celebrity'. I can't ever imagine me being a celebrity. But I suppose that I have to admit that people are interested in what I've got to say. I hope that when I speak up I don't stumble on my words. I like to be as eloquent as I can possibly be and get my message over in the best way possible."
What are your plans for the final? Do you have anything special up your sleeve?
"I will be playing something again that people will recognise and know. I think that's the key for me. A lot of people who play saxophone play jazz pieces, but my inspiration is Kenny G and he keeps it easy listening for people. But I want to take it one step further than Kenny and make it really accessible by playing tunes that they know. I think a cross between Kenny G and Il Divo would be my ideal genre, whatever that might be called. My heart is in that style of music. I think it works well and I hope whatever happens that I can get to make an album."
What do you think to your chances of winning the final?
"It was quite a shock that I came first because it definitely means that I have some public support. You obviously expect your friends and family to support you, but I must have had way, way more than my friends voting, which just feels amazing. I feel like I have a David v Goliath battle on my hands to win the show, but the fact that there is a David v Goliath story means that there is a chance for me."
Is there any concern from the contestants that Susan Boyle already has it in the bag?
"Everyone's getting on really well, but obviously everyone is a little bit daunted by the fact that Susan Boyle is so well known. We're all wondering, 'Do I even have a chance?' But I think you just have to block that out of your mind. Everyone is just on there for two minutes and you can't win if you perform badly. As big as Susan is, she has to pull it off on Saturday or she will be in trouble."
Do you think that the backlash against Susan over the last couple of days has been fair?
"To be honest I don't study what people say about other contestants, I just focus on my job in hand. I'm not sure what's been said about her, but I think whatever people say about Susan, they have to take into account her being nervous. Everyone going on that stage has to deal with that. Many professional performers won't get on a very public stage like this one. So for people who aren't professionals, you have to allow for at least a few nerves."
You've spoken a lot on the show about the many near misses in your career. Will you be upset if you fail again at the last hurdle?
"There's no point in entering a competition if you don't think you've got a chance of winning. I have had that dream where Ant & Dec says, 'And the winner is.... Julian Smith'. But in reality, I feel like a winner just getting to the final. I won't be disappointed from now on. The only thing would be if I didn't play well on the final. If I play badly and let myself down, I will be upset, but to do myself justice I will be happy whatever the outcome."
The Britain's Got Talent final airs at 6.45pm on ITV1 tonight. The results show follows at 9.30pm.
