Simon Cowell was moved to tears as he was reunited with former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Julia Carlile following her life-changing spine surgery, according to new reports.
The 17-year-old, who suffered from scoliosis, first appeared on the ITV talent show in 2017 with dance troupe Mersey Girls (previously known as Just Us).
Cowell donated £175,000 in order to fund an operation to correct her curved spine later that year.
The talented dancer impressed the judges as she performed with her group during filming for Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions at the weekend, successfully completing a back flip according to The Sun.
Her dramatic turnaround is thought to have left Cowell feeling emotional as fellow panellist Amanda Holden asked him to share his thoughts on Mersey Girls’ routine.
The paper reports that the judge was unable to speak properly and handed the microphone back to his colleagues before leaving his seat in order to compose himself.
On his return, he is said to have told Carlile and her fellow dancers: “All I want to talk about is one person’s strength and beyond that, the friendship and support you all have, which we saw the first time we met you.
“To see you able to come back tonight… it just means everything.”
Judge Alesha Dixon reportedly added that the performance “made [her] heart soar,” while Carlile admitted that she had previously thought she would be “at home not dancing for the rest of [her] life.”
“I couldn’t walk two years ago and now I am here,” she said before thanking Cowell, telling him: “Simon, thank you so much. I don’t think I have ever been so happy as I am right now.”
Standard Online has contacted ITV and Britain’s Got Talent for further comment.
Filming commenced for Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions last week at London’s Wembley Arena. The spin off series will see finalists and winners from past seasons return to the stage in a bid to be crowned the ultimate champion.
Judge David Walliams shared a teaser clip for the new show on Twitter last week.
Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions will air on ITV later this year.
