Jerry, 'Tough Nuts' on the panel is the ubiquitous Simon Cowell of American Idol fame on this side of the pond.

I think the principal difference between singers like Paul Potts and Luciano Pavarotti is that bona fide opera singers have the training and capability to sing these pieces during and sometimes at the end of a demanding two-hour opera rather than just standing there and performing the one song, however admirably.

Another former factory worker from the UK with a fine set of pipes is Russell Watson (try a google search on him). Unfortunately, he recently underwent surgery for a brain tumour and his future looks uncertain at the moment.