A wacky musician who wowed judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden on Britain’s Got Talent had care home residents in stitches – playing a teapot and a garden hose.

Dennis Frere-Smith’s performance at Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont care home in Caernarfon began conventionally enough with a rousing rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In on the trumpet.

After dancing with some of the residents, Dennis showed the full range of his tuneful talents, moving from the sublime to the hilariously ridiculous – swapping his trumpet for a teapot, a garden hose and then a shower head.

It was the performance which wowed the judges on the popular ITV show last year with Amanda noting: “It just reminded me of good old fashioned entertainment. There is no other show on earth where you’d be able to play a hosepipe – perfect for Britain’s Got Talent. I’m going to kick this off with a yes.

Simon added: “I’m definitely saying yes”

There was also a thumbs up from fellow judge Alesha Dixon but Bruno Tonioli described Dennis’s performance as a “waste of wind”.

He advanced onto the following round and performed his routine on the famous London Palladium stage but failed to reach the Semi-Finals of the show.

But it was definitely a Golden Buzzer moment for the residents and staff of Bryn Seiont Newydd who hailed Dennis as a “musical maestro”.

“That was a great show, I really enjoyed it,” said Betty Driver. The 87-year-old, who was once a professional dancer and often performed at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, added: “I couldn’t help but get up and dance to some of the songs.”

The other residents joined in with Elizabeth in the session as Dennis sang and played a selection of hits ranging from Frank Sinatra to Bobby Darin and Cliff Richard.

Dennis also sang a medley of wartime songs in preparation for VE Day in May. Including It’s a Long Way to Tipperary the song had a special meaning for Ethna Williams who is originally from County Dublin, Ireland but who latterly lived near Holyhead.

She said: “It was lovely to hear him sing and especially when he came up to me (during the song) and held my hand.”

Former police officer David Edwards, from Dolwyddelan near Blaenau Ffestiniog, correctly identified the opening bars of “Bring Me Sunshine” a song regularly sung by comic duo Morecambe and Wise at the end of the television shows.

He joined Dennis to recreate the dance Eric and Ernie did as they left the stage.

Laughing David said: “I enjoyed Dennis’ singing very much, he’s got a very fine voice and a very talented musician.”

He rounded off his hour-long session with a stirring version of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Dennis, who hails from Norfolk, was visiting North Wales when he called into Bryn Seiont Newydd.

He said: “I love performing as a solo musician and an entertainer in many different settings and enjoy giving happiness to other people in the process.

“Music was my favourite subject at school and I was always playing around with whatever instruments I could get my hands on.

“Singing was encouraged at school as well and gave me the opportunity to use my voice as an instrument too.”

Now in his late-60s Dennis joined the Scots Guards as a musician on leaving school and later became a teacher before becoming a full-time musician and entertainer.

“I was teaching music at a school in Buckinghamshire and was asked to take a group to entertain at a care home. There was no one available so I went along and did it myself and I’ve been visiting care homes ever since.

“My mother is now in her 90s and I know how much pleasure elderly people get from music. I enjoyed performing for the residents here in Caernarfon very much, they were a great audience,” he said.

He added his appearance on Britain’s Got Talent last year had given him new ideas for his act.

“Amanda Holden challenged me to play When the Saints Go Marching In and go faster and faster and with other instruments so I’ve prepared a backing track with the help of my son and added a watering can and a funnel to the others that I play.

“I’m hoping to develop a new show for the theatre and cruise ships market,” he said.

Bryn Seiont Newydd’s musician in residence Nia Davies Williams was blown away by his performance.

As well as being a lot of fun, it had a beneficial impact on the residents and evoked happy musical memories.

Nia said: “The effect of music is well known and it seems to linger longer even among those for whom a simple conversation seems to be very difficult.

“Having Dennis her to sing those old familiar songs from their earlier years does the residents the power of good.

“We are passionate about using the arts, whether visual or musical, to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike. Music is at the heart of everything we do here.”