Simon Cowell has heard thousands of performers walk onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage, but there is one instrument he has never been particularly fond of: the accordion. So when a musician named RuMac arrived carrying one, Simon’s reaction was immediate. What happened next, however, turned an ordinary audition into one of the most unusual musical performances of the 2025 season.

RuMac, whose real name is Ruairidh MacLean, was a 32-year-old musician from Ullapool when he appeared on Britain’s Got Talent. Unlike singers hoping to impress the judges with a powerful voice or dancers preparing complicated routines, RuMac had a rather different plan.

He brought an accordion.

Before the performance began, RuMac introduced himself and explained his connection to music. He described playing the instrument as a hobby that had gradually grown into something much bigger.

The judges were curious about what he had prepared. But when Simon noticed the accordion, his expression quickly changed.

“Oh no, it is even worse. An accordion. I hate them.”

Alesha Dixon agreed that she wasn’t particularly fond of the instrument either. It seemed that RuMac had already discovered one major obstacle before playing a single proper song.

But rather than becoming discouraged, he decided to have a little fun with the judges.

He strapped on his accordion and played a few opening notes designed to imitate the sound of bagpipes. The unusual introduction immediately added another layer of comedy to the audition, especially when RuMac joked about how much the judges loved bagpipes.

The judges were still trying to work out what kind of performance they were watching.

Then came the real surprise.

RuMac began playing “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie,” the famous disco hit originally recorded by Spanish duo Baccara in 1977. Instead of performing it in the familiar disco style, he transformed the song into an energetic accordion arrangement while singing along.

It was an unusual combination, but that was exactly what made the performance stand out.

The opening started in a rather unexpected way, with RuMac delivering the first part of the song in a distinctive style. As the rhythm developed, he gradually increased the energy, turning the familiar melody into something completely different.

The accordion that Simon had just complained about was suddenly at the center of a lively disco performance. 🎶

The audience began responding to the music, and the atmosphere changed as the song picked up speed. Even presenters Ant and Dec were enjoying the unusual performance backstage, dancing along as RuMac continued.

What made the moment especially entertaining was the contrast between Simon’s initial reaction and the musical direction RuMac had taken. The instrument that seemed destined to receive an immediate rejection had become the main attraction.

When the music finally stopped, the judges had very different things to say about what they had just witnessed.

Guest judge KSI was particularly enthusiastic. He described the performance as something that could go viral, calling it weird and funky while admitting that he hadn’t quite understood what he was watching but had been entertained.

Amanda Holden also praised the act, pointing out that the audience had been on their feet and describing the performance as brilliant.

Alesha Dixon admitted that she wasn’t entirely sure what to think at first. The song choice and the unusual opening had caught her off guard, but the performance had certainly made an impression.

Then it was Simon’s turn.

The same judge who had openly declared his dislike for accordions now had to give his verdict on RuMac’s performance.

Simon described it as “fantastically mad” and said he had never heard anything like it in his life.

That reaction perfectly captured what made the audition so entertaining. RuMac hadn’t tried to hide the fact that he was playing an accordion or change the instrument to suit the judges. Instead, he embraced its unusual sound and turned it into the centerpiece of his performance.

He didn’t need Simon to become an accordion fan. He simply needed to give him a reason to enjoy the music. 😲

RuMac received enough positive votes to advance beyond the audition, giving him another opportunity to share his musical personality with the audience.

But his journey on the show didn’t stop there.

When he returned for the live semi-finals, RuMac chose another familiar song for his accordion: A-ha’s “Take On Me.” This time, he brought the instrument back to the stage with the same energetic approach, creating another performance that divided opinions among the judges.

Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Bruno Tonioli pressed their red buzzers during the semi-final performance. Simon, however, did not press his.

Despite the mixed reactions, the judges acknowledged the entertainment value of his act. Simon even praised how RuMac continued performing with confidence after receiving the buzzers.

Unfortunately, RuMac did not receive enough public votes to reach the grand final, finishing sixth in his semi-final.

Still, his appearance on the show demonstrated something important about the world of live entertainment: sometimes the most memorable performers are the ones who bring something completely different to the stage.

RuMac arrived with an instrument that one of the most recognizable judges on television openly disliked. Instead of changing his approach, he used that reaction as the perfect starting point for an unusual musical performance.

And that is what made his audition so enjoyable — a musician, an accordion, a disco classic, and a judge who never expected to enjoy the combination. 🪗✨

Simon Cowell may still have his reservations about accordions, but RuMac certainly gave him a performance worth remembering.

After all, if someone can turn “I hate that instrument” into “I’ve never heard anything like this,” just imagine what other unexpected sounds might be waiting on the next talent-show stage!