These are the heartbreaking stories behind Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists the Missing People Choir
THE BRITAIN’S Got Talent audition from the Missing People Choir had everyone in tears as the story behind their song was revealed.
The talented group – made up from families and friends of people who have vanished – moved the nation with the emotional song I Miss You and got four “yeses” from the judges.
Written by dad Peter Boxell, whose 15-year-old son Lee disappeared 30 years ago, it includes the lyrics: “I never thought I’d be without you. I always thought you’d be here safe with me. Maybe tomorrow I’ll wake up to find you.”
Now the choir, who had only performed seven times before the show, are set to return for the live semi-finals tonight.
The choir was set up in 2014 by the charity Missing People, and is led by choirmaster Jim Hawkins. But the stories behind the music are truly heartbreaking.
Peter Boxell
Peter's 15-year-old son Lee went missing on September, 29, 1988 after telling his dad he was going to watch his favourite football team, Crystal Palace, play.
He never got to the match, which was a few miles from their home in Surrey, and no trace of him has been found since.
Peter, 70, turned to songwriting to help him cope with the disappearance and his first song was called Where Is Lee?
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He wrote the BGT song, I Miss You, which was set to music by Jim Hawkins.
His wife Christine and daughter Lindsay were in the audience during the audition and he admitted it was hard to hold back the tears.
He said: “When I sing, it’s a message going out to Lee.
“It’s me saying ‘Where are you? I hope you are safe and well.’”
Peter Lawrence
Chef Claudia Lawrence vanished in March 2009 after leaving work and was last seen at her home in York.
A £1million manhunt failed find the 35-year-old and no-one had ever been charged with her murder.
Claudia’s dad Peter, who campaigns on behalf of the families of missing people, said the choir has helped him cope.
He said: “It’s a relief. It’s important to get together and talk, support and hug each other.”
Denise Horvath-Allan
Denise’s son Charles had been visiting his dad in Canada when he went missing in 1989.
The 20-year-old was last seen hitch-hiking in Kelowna, a city in British Columbia, where he left all his possessions in a tent before vanishing.
He was due to meet Denise in Hong Kong for his 21st birthday shortly afterwards.
Denise says her biggest fear is that she will die before she gets any answers.
Rachel Edwards
Richey Edwards, Rachel’s brother , was a guitarist and songwriter in the Welsh rock band The Manic Street Preachers when he went missing on February 1 1995.
At 27, he was at the height of his fame.
His car was found abandoned near the Severn Bridge and in 2008 he was presumed dead by police but Rachel has vowed not to give up her search.
She said: “To be honest it’s something that you carry with you every day anyway.
“It’s not something that ever goes away.”
Emma Cullingford
Sandra Hall, 57, went missing for a month in 2013 and daughter Emma, now 33, put out a public appeal.
But the body of her mum, who had been suffering from bi-polar disorder, was found in woodlands in Bognor Regis a month after her disappearance.
There were no suspicious circumstances.
At the time Emma said: “She is, and always will be, deeply loved by her family and her many friends, who so much wanted her to be safe so that she could re-start her life with the care and support she need to start flourishing again.”
Sarah Godwin
Sarah’s 18-year-old son Quentin vanished in 1992 in New Zealand, after coming home from school and then leaving for his job at a supermarket.
Mum Sarah was away from the family, visiting her mum in Surrey when he vanished.
In 2014, he was officially declared dead, but Sarah has not given up hope.
She said: “I don't accept that as a fact, he is not dead until there is some proof, I just don't want to go there.”
Violeta Hawkins
Violeta and husband Tom are the sister and brother-in-law of Lucia Hawkins, who went missing in 2009, aged 42, in Perugia Italy.
She said: “The choir provides me with a way of dealing with my sense of loss.”
