Britain’s Got Talent judges were left utterly amazed during Saturday’s episode when Cornel Munn, a contestant born without arms, showcased his extraordinary drumming abilities.
The beloved talent show returned last month for its 18th season, and in a new episode airing this Saturday, the panel was in awe of Cornel, the house drummer for Channel 4’s The Last Leg. His performance in Blackpool captivated the audience, prompting a standing ovation from both the crowd and the judges.
In an interview, Cornel shared that winning the competition and earning a spot to perform for the King at the Royal Variety Performance would be incredibly meaningful. “My adoptive mum went to one of Prince Charles’ garden parties at Highgrove. She showed the now-King a picture of me in the orphanage, which she kept in a bible. It would almost be like coming full circle. Playing for the King would be such an honor,” Cornel revealed.
Born in Romania, Cornel was abandoned by his birth parents due to the tough circumstances they faced. At just 18 months old, aid workers Ken and Doreen Munn brought him to the UK for medical treatment and later adopted him.
Cornel grew up with their four other children in Worcester. Reflecting on his early life, he said, “I’m so grateful to my biological parents as well as my adopted ones. There’s no ill feeling, quite the opposite. They let their child go and have great opportunities.”
In 2004, Cornel received the Mirror Pride of Britain Child of Courage Award, which was presented to him by Carol Vorderman.
Overcoming significant challenges, Cornel began playing the drums at the age of 11 by strapping sticks to his upper arms. In his free time, he plays in a band and serves as the house drummer on The Last Leg. At 35, Cornel is married to Jasmine, with whom he has a two-year-old son, Kit, and another child on the way in August.
Cornel hopes his story can inspire others. He shared, “I’m not scared of failure,” emphasizing his willingness to take on new challenges. He also mentioned that he and his late adoptive mother, Doreen, who passed away in 2023, used to watch Britain’s Got Talent together. Cornel recalls how Doreen would always encourage him, saying, “You should go on there.”
Related Topics
- Excite Audio Launches Bloom Drum Percussion: A Virtual Instrument for Latin and African Percussion
- Musician Performs on Rare Microtonal Piano with Quarter-Tone Keyboards in Prague
- Phil Cook’s New Piano Album Inspired by Birdsong and Nature, Produced by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon
