MUSIC stars Collabro were watched by millions across the United States earlier this week when they appeared on America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

The quartet, which features Carlisle’s very-own Matt Pagan, took to the stage as part of a second special season of the hit NBC TV show on Monday night.

They faced competition in the second episode by fellow contestants, including Star Wars-themed dance group Boogie Storm and British Magician Marc Spelmann - who both rose to fame on Britain’s Got Talent on ITV in 2016 and 2017.

Aside from the thousands in the studio audience and millions of viewers who watched in the USA and around the world, the group were viewed and critiqued by the judges.

They included comedian Howie Mandel, singer and presenter Alesha Dixon, model Heidi Klum and TV personality Simon Cowell.

The group took on a rendition of the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper hit song, Shallow, which hit the charts in 2018 as part of the award-winning blockbuster A Star Is Born.

However, the song didn’t go down too well with the judges, who criticised the track choice, and were sadly eliminated from the competition.

Alesha said: “If I’m being really honest, I’ve heard you sing other songs which enabled you to shine more, but I’m still really proud of you and so happy to see you guys here.”

Simon added: “I remember your first audition, and the one thing that was missing for me was strength. It just didn’t feel like you guys.”

Following the show, Matt told the News & Star: “We had a great time in Pasadena, filming America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

“We flew out to LA in October to film the show. We performed Shallow from A Star Is Born which wasn’t our first choice, but... that’s television!

“The audience absolutely loved it, but unfortunately the judges weren’t as impressed this time. It was great for us to perform on national television to 6.5 million people.

“It was also amazing for us to sing a song from our new album, Love Like This.”

The group will embark on a tour of the country, including a homecoming show in Carlisle, later this autumn.

Rounding off their 23-date set of shows, the boys will end their journey on the road with a homecoming performance at the Sands Centre.

The gig will take place in the city on Halloween.

It will follow the release of their fifth album, Love Like This, which was released nationwide last November.