Kidnapped girl impresses BGT judges

A girl who was kidnapped as a baby has wowed the judges on 'Britain's Got Talent'.

Alex Griffiths - who was held for 17 days in 1990 after being taken from London St. Thomas' Hospital - performed a dance to 'I Can't Do It Alone' from Chicago, but didn't tell judges Amanda Holden, David Hasselhoff or Michael McIntyre about her background.

She said: "I want to impress people for who I am and what I can do, not because I was kidnapped as a baby.

"People were saying I should tell the judges my story as it could help me get through. I've watched loads of these shows and I know people use sob stories to get the judges on their side.

"But the producers understood my decision to stay quiet - and I don't regret it."

Alex - now 21 and a maths student at Manchester University - was only 36 hours old when disturbed nurse Janet Griffiths pretended to be a social worker to take her from her mother.

Although the worst was feared and an international manhunt was started, the small baby was found in a remote cottage in the Cotswolds.

After performing for the judges at the Manchester audition, the dancer revealed she was taken aback by the positive comments she received.

She added to The Sun newspaper: "All the judges said nice things and Amanda Holden said she could see me taking a lead role in the West End, which was so nice of her. And The Hoff seemed to like my act because he has been in Chicago.

"In an ideal world, being on stage is what I want to do. I'm also considering taking a gap year after I graduate to go dancing on cruise ships."

The first episode of Season 5 of 'Britain's Got Talent' begins on ITV tonight (16.04.11).