A farmer living on the Wiltshire-Somerset border is preparing to sing for his place in the final of Britain's Got Talent, as part of a unique choir.
Andy Fussell is a third-generation farmer from Rode, a village on the border of Wiltshire between Frome and Trowbridge.
In the last year, the 60-year-old has catapulted from the fields into fame as part of the Hawkstone Farmers Choir, which won the 'golden buzzer' in the audition phase of Britain's Got Talent and has now made it to the semi-finals.
The 32-strong group is entirely made up of real farmers who are hoping to raise support for rural mental health.
According to Andy, the reaction from locals since his golden buzzer audition has been "staggering."
He claims his local pub has been "all over it," with posters in the windows and regulars constantly asking for updates.
"The support has been a massive boost," he said.
"It’s not just about me, it’s about the fact that people are finally seeing farmers as ordinary people going about their normal days—not much glamour, plenty of dirt, just getting a job done".
When he's not performing in front of millions on Britain's Got Talent, Andy’s daily life at Church Farm is a far cry from the glitz of a television studio.
The dedicated farmer manages a sprawling 650-acre operation (400 owned, 250 contract farmed), and his days are filled with the technical demands of arable farming and producing his award-winning rapeseed oil, Fussels’ Fine Foods.
He now faces a relentless juggling act of travelling over two and a half hours for intensive BGT rehearsals, while relying on his "great staff" to keep the farm running.
"We gel as a group because we are all in the same predicament. We all face similar challenges and the support that comes from that discussion is vital," he added.
"The choir has connected with people because we are highlighting a poignant subject."
The journey for this choir began in May 2025, when a Facebook advertisement sought "strong singers who are farmers" for a project with Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone brand.
Over 500 farmers applied and from this, a choir representing every corner of the industry was formed.
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"I hope we get through to the final," Andy added.
"It would give the choir the platform to go further with our message, highlighting the contribution we make to food security and quality, while addressing the issues that arise in all people's lives."
The Hawkstone Farmers Choir will now sing live at the semi-finals at the London Apollo on Saturday, May 23, and are asking for the entire farming and Wiltshire/Somerset community to get behind them.
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