It was an emotional rollercoaster on Britain’s Got Talent tonight as Alesha Dixon slammed her Golden Buzzer for a voice from the past — and nearly broke down in tears while doing it.

The lucky star? None other than Lifford Shillingford, the 42-year-old South London soul powerhouse who once lit up the charts in the early 2000s with Artful Dodger’s hit “Please Don’t Turn Me On.” Back then, Lifford was climbing the ranks of the UK music scene just as Alesha was bursting onto the scene herself with her girl group Mis-Teeq. But while her star rose, Lifford’s light dimmed.

Behind the scenes, Lifford was grappling with silent demons. Depression and anxiety crept in at the height of his success, forcing him to abandon a career that seemed destined for stardom. The once-promising vocalist vanished from the industry — until now.

His return to the stage wasn’t just a performance — it was a moment of reckoning. And for Alesha, who remembered all too well the era they both emerged from, it was deeply personal. With her voice cracking and eyes welling up, she reached for the Golden Buzzer — sending Lifford straight to the live shows and back into the spotlight he was once forced to leave behind.

A comeback written in gold — and tears.