Who is Tokio Myers? Album, parents, height and more on the Britain's Got Talent winner

15 June 2018, 16:30 | Updated: 11 January 2019, 15:48

Pianist, composer and songwriter Tokio Myers shot to fame and won millions of fans when he was crowned the winner of Britain's Got Talent 2017. Here's everything you need to know about the award-winning pianist including his tour and album

Torville Jones, otherwise known by his stage name Tokio Myers, is a 34-year-old ex-session pianist who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2017.

Now, the London-born musician is due to compete with other previous winners in the ultimate talent show battle.

Simon Cowell and his team of celebrity judges are back with a seven-episode spin-off series, America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

Terry Crews is hosting the show, while Spice Girl Mel B, Howie Mandel and model Heidi Klum have all been selected for the panel.

From Tokio's debut album Our Generation and towering height to his estimated net worth, find out more about one of Britain's best-loved musicians as he prepares for this latest competition.

What is Tokio Myers' background?

In December 1995 something happened that shaped Tokio’s life. He was in a piano lesson after school hours, when he saw the school’s headmaster, Philip Lawrence, killed in front of him. He was stabbed to death by a gang member outside the school gates, as he was trying to save a student from the gang.

Tokio – whose parents are of West Indian and British descent – was just 11 at the time, and was quickly led back inside by his music teacher.

The pianist has since become a fierce advocate for music education. He told The Evening Standard last year: “Obviously it was a very dark time for all of us and yes, it did play a massive part in me wanting to channel that energy into music. So I think it’s important to question why are they taking music out of schools?”

After his school years, Tokio went on to study piano with a full scholarship at the Royal College of Music. He then joined the band Mr Hudson and the Library for a short time, who supported Kanye West, The Police and Amy Winehouse on tour.

What did he play on Britain’s Got Talent?

Tokio Myers was crowned the winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2017 after playing a euphoric piano and percussion rendition of Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s hit song ‘Human’ and Hans Zimmer’s theme to Interstellar.

He beat 11 other acts to win the prize of £250,000, plus the privilege of performing at this year’s Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen.

In Tokio’s first audition, he played Debussy’s ‘Clair de lune’, which he turned into Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Bloodstream’. He released ‘Bloodstream’ as his debut single from his debut album Our Generation in October 2017.

Tokio Myers’ album and tour dates

Tokio Myers' debut album, Our Generation, was released in October 2017, and was recently nominated for a Classic BRIT Award for Classic FM Album of the Year. The first single from the album was 'Bloodstream'.

Tokio Myers is playing several festivals throughout the summer, including Isle of Wight Festival, Camp Bestival and RiZE Festival. On 15 July, he will play at Audley End in Essex with 2Cellos. Tickets can be found here.

How tall is Tokio Myers?

After making his first TV appearance on Simon Cowell's talent show, fans were quick to pick up on his towering height.

At over 6ft tall, Tokio's long legs have proved to be an asset to him over the years – especially as basketball is one of his favourite pastimes.

While on tour with Kanye West, he was even challenged to a game by the US rapper.

Speaking to the Standard, he said: “I met [West] and I was lucky enough to play basketball with him.

"He brings a basketball net on tour and I remember meeting him in London. It was amazing – he’s my idol. And literally three or four minutes later he was like ‘man do you want to play basketball?’"

Tokio Myers' net worth

Since winning Britain's Got Talent, the popular pianist's career has been going from strength to strength.

His net worth is now estimated to be around $450,000 – a far cry from his early student days as a budding musician and a testament to his many years of hard work.