Got What It Takes? is a British talent show that aired on CBBC from 2016 to 2021. Originally presented by Lauren Platt for the first three series, Anna Maynard took over from 2018 until the show's end. In 2021, Melvin Odoom joined Maynard as a co-host. The series saw contestants compete against each other in challenges such as writing songs, performing for celebrity guests and learning choreography. The winner of each series was given the chance to perform at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. Throughout its history, the six winners were Amaria Braithwaite, Jorja Douglas, Rio Donkin, Lauren Mia Jones, Georgie Mills and Tilly Lockey.
History and format The format of the series involved a group of young singers taking part in the singing talent competition. In each episode, three contestants are chosen to compete in a sing-off, whilst the contestants' mothers, aunts or sisters vote for who they want to win. Each week, the contestants learn about an aspect in the music industry, while their female relatives compete for their child's place in the sing-off. The performer with the most sing-off wins automatically reaches the final, and three more are voted for by the public, where they compete for the chance to win and perform at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend.
From the show's premiere, it was hosted by The X Factor UK contestant Lauren Platt. Platt hosted Got What It Takes? until the conclusion of the third series, after which Anna Maynard took over. Melvin Odoom joined Maynard as a co-host for the final series in 2021. As well as its hosts, Got What It Takes? featured a "music maestro", who helped the contestants with their performances. David Tench was in the role for the first three series, with Max Cooke taking over from series four until the final series. There was also a "games guru", Kevin Adams, who, until the fifth series, led and aided the relatives in the challenges.
Series overview Series Start date End date Winner Finalists Presenter Music maestro Games guru 1 6 January 2016 9 March 2016 Amaria Braithwaite Lola Young Paddy Wilde Rai-Elle Williams Lauren Platt David Tench Kevin Adams 2 7 February 2017 14 April 2017 Jorja Douglas Ellie Allen Erin Lewis Evan James 3 14 February 2018 18 April 2018 Rio Donkin Annie Lewis Henry Gallagher Nataya Bree 4 24 September 2018 28 November 2018 Lauren Mia Jones Jacob Storey Numa Shah Seren Levay Anna Maynard Max Cooke 5 8 January 2020 11 March 2020 Georgie Mills Abi Dring Ned Payne Olivia Sinclair 6 11 May 2021 13 July 2021 Tilly Lockey George Norman Oscar Skye Anna MaynardMelvin Odoom
Series 1 (2016) Winner Finalist Semi-Finalist
Contestant Age Hometown Sing-off wins Parent Amaria Braithwaite 12 Hackney 1 Jasmine Braithwaite Becky Holmes 13 Leeds 0 Linda Holmes Evan Anderson 12 Galashiels 0 Fiona Anderson Lily Moram 13 Dorking 1 Lisa Moram Lola Young 14 Kent 1 Imogen Young Matt Smallwood 13 Olton 1 Katie Smallwood Paddy Wilde 12 Lancaster 1 Diane Wilde Rai-Elle Williams 14 Croydon 3 Bernice Williams
Series 2 (2017) Winner Finalist Semi-Finalist
Contestant Age Hometown Sing-off wins Parent Brook Miller 14 Newcastle 1 Sharon Miller Ellie Allen 14 Bournemouth 1 Lou Allen Erin Lewis 14 Swansea 0 Julia Lewis Evan James 14 Essex 3 Thea James Jorja Douglas 14 Hertfordshire 1 Stephi Douglas Kellimarie Willis 13 Coventry 1 Debbie Willis Kyra West 13 London 1 Margaret West Luka Chesterton 12 Birmingham 1 Valerie Chesterton
Series 3 (2018) Winner Finalist Semi-Finalist
Contestant Age Hometown Sing-off wins Parent Annie Lewis 13 Cowbridge 2 Liz Lewis Emilly Santos 14 South London 1 Irene Santos Henry Gallagher 14 Wigan 0 Marie Gallagher Jada Fyvie 13 Elgin 1 Natasha Fyvie Jeremiah Emmanuel 12 Limehouse 1 Aminata Roberts (aunt) Nataya Bree 14 Swansea 1 Kelsey Ashmole Rio Donkin 14 Hull 1 Sherina Donkin (sister) Shaun Curtis 14 Luton 1 Shelly Curtis
Series 4 (2018) Winner Finalist Semi-Finalist
Contestant Age Hometown Sing-off wins Parent Cooper Stout 14 Kent 1 Michelle Piror (aunt) Elijah Freeman 13 Stockport 0 Ntiriwah Freeman Eva Finnemore 12 Rutland 1 Mel Finnemore Jacob Storey 14 Leicester 1 Annabel Storey Lauren Mia Jones 14 Swansea 2 Tracey Jones Numa Shah 14 Oxford 1 Naveeda Shah Poppy Eagles 12 Yorkshire 1 Carolyn Eagles Seren Levay 13 Gloucester 1 Rachel Levay
Series 5 (2020) Winner Finalist Semi-Finalist
Contestant Age Hometown Sing-off wins Parent Abi Dring 14Nottingham 0 Emma Morling (sister) Amberina Large 13 Caerphilly 1 Linya Large Georgie Mills 13 Chesterfield 1 Claire Roberts (aunt) Malakhi Best 13 London 2 Andrea Henry Ned Payne 13 Derby 2 Emma Payne Olivia Sinclair 12Cardiff 0 Kylie Sinclair Sarita Playfair 13 Tyne and Wear 1 Edith Playfair Thomas Dunleavy 14 Cambridgeshire 1 Sara Dunleavy
Series 6 (2021) On 26 June 2020, applications for the sixth series of Got What It Takes? were opened on the CBBC website, with the first episode being aired on 11 May 2021. This series followed social distancing guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Winner Finalist Semi-Finalist
Contestant Age Hometown Sing-off wins Parent Ellisse Alexander 14 East London 1 Sam Alexander George Norman 15 Kent 2 Vikki Norman Oscar Skye 13 Surrey 1 Amanda Stevens Ruby Sears 14 West London 1 Becs Sears Tilly Lockey 15 County Durham 0Sarah Lockey
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