Pauline Pearce, dubbed the Hackney Heroine, has reportedly made it through to the second round of Britain’s Got Talent.

Even Britain’s Got Talent boss, Simon Cowell is said to be impressed, having praised Pearce’s “fantastic” voice during the London auditions this week.

Pearce, 46, hit the headlines last year after a video of her berating young rioters went viral. It later revealed that Pauline was a jazz-singing grandmother.

Capitalising on her relative fame, the Hackney heroine is now trying to crack the music industry, auditioning for the latest series of Britain's Got Talent at London's Hammersmith Apollo this week.

Before breaking out into song, head judge, Simon Cowell said to Pearce, who wielded a cane: “You're not going to hit me with that are you?”

Pauline, who was seen brandishing the stick in the riots video, fired back: “I only threaten people with my stick. I don't actually hit them.

“I won't hit you unless you're a rioter.”

Pearce failed to move judges with a rendition of Ralph McTell's The Streets Of London.

But her second attempt, when she sang Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World, was received to a rapturous reception from the judges and audience.

Cowell reportedly told her: “You've got a lot of spirit and a lot of soul. You've a fantastic voice.”

Viewers must wait until Britain’s Got Talent goes to air in spring to find out if Pauline makes the shortlist.