A panto star who wowed millions of TV viewers on Britain's Got Talent has thanked 'wonderfully supportive' people who cheered him on throughout the show.

Diss Mercury: Actor and Britain's Got Talent contestant Ben Langley at home in Norfolk.Actor and Britain's Got Talent contestant Ben Langley at home in Norfolk. (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2015)

Ben Langley, from Shimpling near Diss, had the celebrity BGT judging panel in stitches when he performed his misheard lyrics routine on the show in May.

However, he failed to make it to the live show stage of the show, much to the disappointment of his many fans on Twitter.

Now, following the finale of the show on Saturday night - where Lost Voice Guy was crowned winner - the Norwich Theatre Royal actor has said how much he enjoyed the whole experience.

He said: 'BGT was great. The exposure from being on the show has been fantastic.'

Receiving hundreds of messages from fans on social media both during and since his appearance on the show, the 43-year-old added he had been blown away by the reaction he had received.

'I didn't anticipate it at all,' he said. 'When the audition aired I was at a festival in Germany and suddenly my phone started dancing across the table and it hasn't stopped since.

'It is just overwhelming, lovely and all wonderfully supportive and when I didn't get through it was messages saying sorry you didn't get through.

'People are very keen to tell you that they like you and they like what you are doing and I don't think I had that before. It's quite overwhelming and gives you a sense of belonging.'

Nigel Frankland, chairman of Shimpling Parish Council - where Mr Langley lives - was keen to add his support and congratulations to the many online messages Mr Langley had received.

'We're very proud of Ben's success and it will put Shimpling on the map,' he said. 'Congratulations and well done.'

When asked if he had been offered any other opportunities following his BGT appearance, Mr Langley said: 'Nothing happens immediately.

'There are meetings but I cannot report anything yet, but I'm not going to be hosting the BAFTAs just yet!'

He is set to appear in Norwich Theatre Royal's upcoming panto Aladdin.