Music mogul Simon Cowell said Dean Wilson's stunning performance of a song from the musical Miss Saigon was probably the best audition he had ever seen.

Millions of viewers saw the student win over Cowell, and fellow judges Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden on the prime-time talent show on Saturday night.

Among those watching was his singing teacher Sarah Barton, who has taught Dean for the last six years at Hartlepool's Northern School of Music.

She said: "I thought he was absolutely fantastic, he has made us all really proud. Over the past few years he has been progressing and just blossomed."

Dean, 18, who lives in Middlesbrough, attends weekly singing lessons at the music school in Church Square, Hartlepool.

And for the last two years, he has honed his theatre skills at the Watson Academy of Dance, in the town's Dalton Street.

Staff at the Northern School of Music have created a window display showing their support for Dean and Sarah has made a special banner.

Dean told Britain's Got Talent he had kept quiet about his love of musical theatre at school because he thought his friends would think he was girly.

And just seconds into his audition in Manchester he was stopped by Cowell, who said he hated the song.

As Dean did not have any other songs prepared he was allowed to sing it again and got a standing ovation from the audience.

Afterwards Cowell said: "I am more excited today than I have been so far because we have the prospect of someone who is really truly talented."

Dean now goes through to the next round of the competition with the winner getting to perform in front of Prince Charles at this year's Royal Variety Show.

Sarah, 24, who lives in Seaton Carew, added: "He definitely can go all the way. He is going to be in the West End this time next year, he is going to be a big megastar."