Paul Zerdin
The Londoner took home the $1m prize Getty

Just like James Bond star Daniel Craig and singer Sam Smith, ventriloquist Paul Zerdin is also proudly flying the British flag. The 43-year-old Londoner has beaten fierce competition to win this year's America's Got Talent.

After emerging victorious at the season finale on Wednesday 16 September the entertainer said he was "totally speechless" and "bowled over". "I can't believe it. It's the most amazing feeling and I thank everyone so much for voting for me," he added in a Vine posted on the show's Twitter account.

British acts Stevie Starr – the Professional Regurgitator – and magician John van der Put, who performs as Piff the Magic Dragon, also made it through to the final 10.

Not only did Zerdin take home the $1m (£650k) prize money, he is now heading to Las Vegas where he will headline America's Got Talent Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino 22-24 October. He will be joined by finalists Drew Lynch and Piff The Magic Dragon.

"There's a reason Paul breezed through every single time he came on – because he is a master at what he does," said judge Howard Stern. "He's taking the art of ventriloquism to new heights."

Fellow judge and former Spice Girl Mel B also praised his final performance saying: "You're a well-polished act, you're flawless."

But Zerdin, who is a former children's television presenter, is no stranger to the limelight having appeared at the Royal Variety Performance three times since 1997. He also won ITV's The Big Big, Talent Show – hosted by Jonathan Ross – in 1996.

Elsewhere, Howard Stern bid an emotional farewell to the show after four seasons. "I've had such incredible moments on this show. I really have... It has been phenomenal," the radio legend said in a video.

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