Bravery of song boy Callum,12
LITTLE star Callum Francis hid a brave secret when when he belted out the Oliver! song Consider Yourself and wowed Britain last night.
The plucky 12-year-old is autistic, we can reveal.
But his proud mum Linda says the reason he is so talented is BECAUSE of his developmental disability.
She explained: "He struggles with things like attention and he takes everything literally. Someone said to him they hoped he'd go on BGT with "all guns blazing" and Callum got really worried, thinking there'd be guns on stage or something. He was terrified of Simon and the sound of the buzzers.
"But with the way his mind works, if he watches something like Billy Elliot or Les Miserables on stage, he'll remember every hand movement and gesture. He really tunes into stuff like that."
Cute Callum has now sketched pictures of Simon, Piers, Amanda and the Queen, so he can balance their heads on a radiator and practice performing in front of them.
He also made some of Ant & Dec and they said they'd put them in their dressing rooms.
Callum originally auditioned for BGT with his sister Talia, ten. Both are pupils at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School in London.
Sadly, Talia did not get through but Linda said Callum's success was a tonic for the whole family-including husband Ron, 45, a customer relations manager, and eldest son Louis, 16.
They had been feeling down since February when Linda- who has muscular dystrophy -was made redundant by electronics firm Alba.
Linda said: "It was blow. But the whole family is over the moon for Callum."
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This article has 13 comments
I love Callum he is amazing i still cant believe he did not get through the grand final
and he is so cuteeeeeeeeeeee
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:D:D:D
By Fatin. Posted June 9 2009 at 7:39 AM.
i thought callum was one of the bravest boys on britain's got talent. He entertained just about everyone in britain with his fantastic performance he was an absolute star. i wish every best wish for the future and hope that he will be a shining star. X.
By emily price. Posted June 2 2009 at 7:42 AM.
Callum has really got something to offer he is superb. The song and dance routine he did in the semi finals featuring the characters from the Jungle Book was so entertaining I could could sit and watch that over and over again. Absolutely fantastic and I would like to wish Callum every best wish for the future I am sure he will be a star.
By Paul McStay. Posted May 31 2009 at 12:55 PM.
Lots of varying levels of autism, that's why it's known as Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Cos it's a spectrum! My son is aspergers and very able, but can still take things too literally (he's 22), and get confused. He would have no problem with the waiting room, but might struggle to keep his behaviour 'normal' in a stressful situation - in his case he would be likely to go over the top with excitement and act very young and silly! For those who think ASD always means not coping with difficult situations, my son is at Uni, living independently, and doing well with a little help now and then. Lots of different levels on the spectrum.
By Liz. Posted May 29 2009 at 6:26 PM.
I'm responding to the comment that he wouldnt be able to face the stage if he were autistic. All children on the autistic spectrum have their own particular difficulties and strengths, they're all different. My daughter is very shy until she's on a stage and then she has all the confidence in the world and you wouldnt know she had any problems at all. She also takes many things literally too but has no problems understanding that people act in TV shows and plays....nor do many other autistic children and adults.
By Val. Posted May 29 2009 at 10:02 AM.
My opinion would be that he has aspergers, causing problems with social functioning on a lesser level than autism spectrum. From what has been said about him then he is doing extremely well to go up on stage. Others have just made silly comments about casualty role being "real". Just because he has some difficulty does not mean that he does not have some understanding. Take it from me, my son has similar difficulties.
By Jo. Posted May 28 2009 at 11:55 PM.
My nephew is autistic and gets very anxious in large crowds but he loves BGT and wants to audition himslef. Callum's autism is meant to be mild so I think you should stop being so harsh. It is a complex disorder and no two cases are the same. Callum's autism has not been made very public and I don't think it's fair to say that the family is going for a 'sob story'. To those people who think that, maybe you should try living with the disorder or raising a child with it then see if you think the same.
By Samantha Nuttall. Posted May 28 2009 at 9:11 PM.
Who cares if he is autistic or not? he's just so darn cute!
By Georgie. Posted May 12 2009 at 7:36 PM.
If he's autistic no way could he face a stage, I think we are going for another sob story.
By Trish. Posted May 9 2009 at 10:31 PM.
something not right my son is autistic and could not socially coped with the waiting room let alone the stage.most others barely cope with school cant see how he can mix with all these strangers.also if he takes things literally then surely he would think casualty etc is real .
By mary . Posted May 5 2009 at 10:28 PM.
can't help but wonder how much of "a tonic for the whole family" it was when he landed his big speaking/acting part in casualty!! so many people on BGT and X-Factor have already been on tv....coincidence? i doubt it!
By paula. Posted May 4 2009 at 12:12 AM.
He was in last weeks "Casualty" as the son of a drug user.
By Nicky. Posted May 3 2009 at 7:10 PM.
Maybe they should tell the judges ahead of time so they don't upset him.
By Tim. Posted May 3 2009 at 3:24 PM.