HE SAID it has taken him 26 years to become an overnight success – but there is no doubt that the people of Britain now know that Basingstoke ventriloquist Steve Hewlett has got talent.

Last week, The Gazette reported how Steve described his Britain’s Got Talent semi-final performance as the gig of his life – but last Saturday he went one better when he appeared in the grand final of the TV contest that was watched by 13.1million viewers.

On the show, the 38-year-old Basing-stoke-born performer was revealed as the wild card finalist pick by the judging panel – and Steve certainly made the most of his golden opportunity.

Despite only having three days to prepare a set, the dad-of-one pulled off a four-minute crowd pleaser which received a standing ovation.

He eventually came fourth out of the 11 acts with 14.7 per cent of the public vote. As Steve and many people predicted, amazing Hungarian shadow dancers Attraction clinched the top spot with 27 per cent of the vote.

But even though he didn’t win, Steve was delighted with his performance and the fact that he had made such a big impression on the judges and the voting public.

“When I finished my act, I was over the moon,” said Steve. “It was just the best feeling in the world. I was about to burst into tears but I held it together.”

Steve opened his set with his signature sidekick, the lecherous OAP Arthur Lager, who hit on the show’s judge Amanda Holden.

He then bought out his replica Simon Cowell dummy which had the notori-ously straight-faced judge blushing. And to finish off he revealed a new puppet of Sinitta, an X Factor regular and close friend of Simon Cowell.

Despite the Sinitta puppet’s modesty only being covered by leaves – a dig at her time on The X Factor – it proved to be a hit with the star who was seen laughing in the audience.

Steve, who now lives in Eastbourne, said the Sinitta puppet was a last-minute addition after he was told on Wednesday last week that he would be performing in the final. He was given the good news that he had made the final by judge David Walliams but had to keep it a secret from family and friends.

“That was the hardest part,” he said. “All my family, who live in Basingstoke, kept phoning me and asking if I was the wild card finalist. It was horrible but if it was leaked out it would have ruined the show for the viewers.”

So what now for Steve?

“It’s taken me 26 years to be an overnight success,” he said. “The nation know me now so it is up to me to keep that household name out there for as long as possible. I have to fight to stay there, and I am very confident I can.”