Singing star Jai McDowall is single minded

Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall wants to focus on his singing career before looking for a girlfriend, he has said.

The 24-year-old Scot, who was wracked by nerves during Saturday night's competition, yesterday said he is now feeling unusually "dead calm".

He said: "I'm actually single at the moment. To be honest, at this point in time I need to focus on what is going to happen next and where my career is going to take me.

"Maybe after I'm a wee bit more settled I'll start looking, I guess."

McDowall will use the 100,000 prize money to pay off his mortgage and decorate his house and is looking forward to performing in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.

He said: "Winning this competition is going to be completely life changing. The 100,000 is going to buy my house for me and make me financially secure for the rest of my days.

"To sing in front of the Queen is just an honour. A boy from where I come from - we don't dream about it, it's absolutely amazing."

Asked what he might say to the Queen, he was unsure but said: "Thank you very much, thanks for having me … I'll see what happens on the night."

Locals in Tarbolton, Ayrshire, turned out in force to watch the show at public house The Plough Inn, where McDowall used to work and sing karaoke. They were among a peak audience of 14.4 million who watched the show.