Year in Reality TV: Stavros Flatley ('Britain's Got Talent')

When you find yourself sat viewing a fat, topless Greek bloke running around a stage with his 13-year-old son, there is only one possible reality TV show that you can be watching - Britain's Got Talent. The 2009 series matched X Factor for controversy, drama and audience numbers. And thanks to father-son dance duo Stavros Flatley, the programme also retained a healthy sense of humour. We caught up with Stavros star Demetrios to find out how appearing on the show has changed his family's lives.

You have been touring your act around the UK. What's the strangest gig you have done?
"The most unusual was last week when we opened up a Domino's store in Holborn. We were in an empty shop next to Domino's and there was a crowd of people outside watching. It was the weirdest thing we've ever done. But yes, we did get free pizzas. Of course we got free pizzas. We raided their flipping pizzas!"

How has Britain's Got Talent changed your life?
"Well, it was never meant to be a career. We were supposed to go on, have a bit of fun and then go home. But it has turned into something else entirely and we're just having a laugh. We know that it is not going to last forever. But for however long it lasts, it is a lovely thing for us."

Did you expect to achieve anything when you went for that first audition?
"No, no. The crowd's reaction was brilliant, but all the way through we never expected for this to happen. We have bookings and corporate stuff lined up for 2010, so it's showing no signs of stopping at the moment. We are going to make the most of it."

Do you have plans to develop anything new in your act in 2010?
"No, we haven't got a new album out. We are not planning on releasing a song. We have the two dances that we can do - there is nothing dramatic in the pipeline. The only thing we've done is the book, which we've got out now and I'm really proud of that for me and Lagi. But it is all just a bit of fun."

What is the book about?
"The book is about being Greek. Anyone who is Greek thinks we invented everything. It is packed with advice on how to be more like us. We know how to have a good time, we are the biggest hypocrites in the world. We are very, very good at giving advice - so basically it is a lesson in doing things the Greek way. It's a good, fun self-help book. I sent a copy to Simon [Cowell] and Piers [Morgan]. I texted them and Simon's ex Jackie St Clair got back to me saying they were both reading it and having a chuckle."

What was it like during the month that Britain's Got Talent was on air?
"It was just mad. It was just insane. Now it is like having loads and loads of friends. Everyone wants to shake our hands and feel like they know us. It is really nice to have that. As far as being or feeling like stars and celebrities, I don't think that is the case, people just want to shake our hands and say hello."

You saw Boyle-mania at close quarters. What did you make of her dramatic rise to fame?
"I'm glad it wasn't me under the spotlight because there was a lot of pressure. It was weird to see how it blew up that much. It really did go mad again this year with Britain's Got Talent. I don't think it will ever happen again. 100 million hits on YouTube. It is just mad."

Did you ever get to meet her?
"Oh, she was a lovely lady. She was nothing but lovely to us. We actually have a picture of her sitting on our laps, wearing our wigs. She is really nice and she toured with us. I found her to be totally fine with us."

The show was criticised for putting young kids in the spotlight. Did you ever worry about letting Lagi on the show?
"Oh no, because we never had any expectations. There was never pressure on us to progress. The only pressure we put on ourselves was to get our dance right. We knew we were never going to win, and for me and Lagi we didn't enter the show for a career. Lagi isn't a stage school kid. We just did it for the jokes and then came home."

What would you say to parents considering letting their children on next year?
"It's a great thing if that is what they want. Who am I to give anyone advice? I am just someone who has done it for a bit of fun. All I can say is that our experience was brilliant. If someone wants more than a bit of fun, then I can't give them advice."

You managed to make Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan laugh. What is the secret?
"I think it's just because I'm a short, pudgy fellow, who they thought was quite cute. No, seriously and genuinely, I don't know. Me and Lagi have a happy go-lucky thing for life. That is maybe what they like, that and the fact that we run half-naked around the stage."