Andy DehnartOn Saturday, 27-year-old teacher Danyl Johnson auditioned live on the UK’s X Factor, and judge Simon Cowell gave a standing ovation for Danyl’s rendition of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends.”
Simon, wearing the same t-shirt he wore all season on American Idol, said, “I’ve been doing this for how many years–eight, nine years? Danyl, that was single-handedly the best first audition I’ve ever heard.” He later told the other judges, “I think he could be one of the best contestants we’ve ever had.”
Danyl (pronounced “Daniel”) doesn’t exactly qualify as the next Susan Boyle, since a big part of the reaction to her was the disparity between her appearance and her voice, but he’s already getting tabloid attention in the UK.
The Mirror reported that he’s been in two boy bands, and quotes the bisexual Danyl as saying he thinks even Simon Cowell is attractive and has a nice personality. “I don’t like to conform or be put into one box or another and if I’m honest all the judges are good-looking. If I like someone’s personality it doesn’t really matter what they look like or what sex they are,” he said.