Eleven-year-old guitarist Olly Pearson made headlines on Britain’s Got Talent after earning Simon Cowell’s “sorry” for pressing the semi-final Golden Buzzer early during his show-stopping performance.

Pearson, who first impressed judges during his audition playing hits from Queen and Van Halen, returned to the semi-finals with a high-energy medley of Guns N’ Roses and Bon Jovi songs. Backed by dancers and lifted on a platform with his guitar shooting flames, Olly’s performance left Cowell so impressed that he pressed the Golden Buzzer immediately after the act—before the judges’ comments.

“You’re so small, talented, and charismatic. I went a little early, I’m sorry, but you’re just brilliant,” Cowell said. The moment marked a first in BGT history: Olly became the first performer to receive two Golden Buzzers during the same series.

Fans at home took to social media to celebrate Olly’s achievement. One tweeted, “Olly the rockstar on #BGT has got me in tears, he is amazing!” Another wrote, “Well deserved Golden Buzzer! Imagine having a grandad as cool as his. This kid needs to go far!”

Although Olly did not win the final, his semi-final performance solidified his reputation as a prodigious talent capable of captivating audiences across the nation.

From BGT to Paris: Olly Shines in Viral ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Flash Mob

After his breakthrough on Britain’s Got Talent, Olly Pearson continued to impress the world with a show-stealing appearance in a Parisian flash mob performance of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Orchestrated by pianist Julien Cohen, the flash mob featured 30 musicians performing across a city block, including lead singer Mickey Callisto, a full opera choir, and Olly on guitar.

The elaborate street performance quickly went viral. The YouTube clip uploaded on September 9, 2025, garnered over 125,000 views in its first moments, and within 24 hours had skyrocketed past 1.5 million views. Cameras captured reactions from passersby, aerial shots of performers in windows, and Olly delivering the Brian May guitar solos with precision and flair.

Fans and viewers from around the globe praised the performance. One wrote, “I’ve watched this four times already today. It really is joyous and a little reminder of how social media can still bring the sunshine.” Another added, “Freddie is looking down and giving y’all a standing ovation. That’s spectacular!”

Olly’s journey—from making Simon Cowell apologize on national television to taking Paris by storm—demonstrates the young guitarist’s extraordinary talent and promise. The viral flash mob not only celebrated 50 years of Bohemian Rhapsody but also highlighted the next generation of musicians carrying forward Queen’s legacy.