Staffordshire care workers prepare to perform for Eurovision and rock royalty in national talent final

Keeley Bayley, from Stafford, and Jon Boote, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent, will fly the flag for Staffordshire at the national final of Homecare's Got Talent, at The Crescent Theatre in Birmingham on Friday 7 August.

Two Staffordshire care professionals are preparing for the performance of their lives after earning places in the Grand Final of Homecare’s Got Talent 2026, where they will face a celebrity judging panel featuring Eurovision winner Jay Aston of The Fizz and acclaimed rock guitarist Dave Colquhoun.

Keeley Bayley, from Stafford, and Jon Boote, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent, will fly the flag for Staffordshire at the national final at The Crescent Theatre in Birmingham on Friday 7 August.

The pair have already beaten talented care workers from across the country to secure their places in the final, but now face their biggest challenge yet: performing live in front of a packed theatre and some of the biggest names in British music.

Celebrity judge Jay Aston rose to fame as an original member of Bucks Fizz, winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the unforgettable number-one hit Making Your Mind Up. The group went on to score further chart-toppers including The Land of Make Believe and My Camera Never Lies, with Jay continuing to perform today as part of The Fizz.

She will be joined on the panel by acclaimed guitarist Dave Colquhoun, a long-standing member of Rick Wakeman’s English Rock Ensemble who has performed on major stages alongside some of the most respected names in rock music.

A dancer determined to make history

Twenty-six-year-old Keeley, who has worked for Bluebird Care Stafford for two years, secured her place with a dramatic contemporary dance performance to Cry Me a River.

Keeley has been performing for around ten years and was also a finalist in last year’s competition. She has returned determined to go one step further and hopes she could become the first dancer to take the Homecare’s Got Talent crown.

Keeley said:

“Reaching the final again means absolutely everything. Dance is a huge part of who I am, but so is caring for people, and this competition allows me to celebrate both.”

“To know that I’ll be performing in front of people such as Jay Aston and Dave Colquhoun makes it even more exciting and slightly terrifying! I’m determined to give everything I have on that stage and make Stafford proud.”

Male carer ready to challenge stereotypes

Joining Keeley in the final is 34-year-old Jon Boote, originally from Nottingham and now living in Stoke-on-Trent.

Jon has worked for Austin Ben Ltd for around a year and has more than 20 years of experience as a performer.

His audition featured an ambitious musical medley moving from James’ Sit Down into Keane’s Everybody’s Changing, before finishing with Elton John’s Bennie and the Jets.

Jon hopes his appearance in the competition will help challenge outdated stereotypes surrounding men working in care and show that compassion, sensitivity and creativity have no gender.

Jon said:

“This competition has given me the opportunity to bring together two enormously important parts of my life, caring for people and performing.”

“There are still stereotypes around men working in care, but male carers can be compassionate, sensitive and creative too. I’m proud to represent them, my company and Staffordshire in the final.”

“Performing in front of a Eurovision winner and a musician of Dave Colquhoun’s calibre will be an incredible experience. It makes you realise just how big this final is going to be.”

Two talents, one county and one enormous stage

Although Keeley and Jon will bring completely different performances to the Grand Final, they share the same determination to showcase the extraordinary people working throughout the care profession.

Dan Archer, Founder of Homecare’s Got Talent and Managing Director of Visiting Angels UK, said:

“To have two outstanding finalists representing Staffordshire is fantastic. Keeley and Jon could not be more different as performers, but they share enormous talent, courage and pride in the work they do.”

“Keeley tells a story through movement and has returned more determined than ever, while Jon brings years of performance experience and an important message about challenging stereotypes around male carers.”

“This year’s finalists will perform in front of a truly exceptional celebrity judging panel, including Eurovision winner Jay Aston, acclaimed guitarist Dave Colquhoun and The Voice UK star Kuill. It promises to be our most exciting Grand Final yet.”

“Homecare’s Got Talent is not simply about finding a great singer or dancer. It is about giving the incredible people working in care the recognition, confidence and national platform they deserve.”

The Homecare’s Got Talent Grand Final takes place on Friday 7 August 2026 at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham.

Finalists from across the UK will compete for the coveted title in front of a live audience and celebrity judging panel.

Homecare’s Got Talent celebrates the hidden talents and inspiring stories of people working across the care sector, shining a spotlight on the remarkable individuals who dedicate their lives to supporting others.

Tickets for the Grand Final are available through the official Homecare’s Got Talent website.