90s-Year-Old Grandpa's TikTok Singing Wows 1.3M Fans
Edwin Rayner started singing on TikTok in his mid-90s after his wife's death, and now has 1.3 million followers who adore his heartfelt covers. His latest rendition of "Hey There Delilah" has nearly 900,000 likes and proves it's never too late to chase a dream.
A British grandfather in his mid-90s is melting hearts across TikTok with pitch-perfect covers of songs his grandchildren love. Edwin Rayner's latest viral hit, a tender version of Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah," has racked up nearly 900,000 likes and shows the world that dreams have no expiration date.
Rayner sings under the handle Granddad Sings and has built a following of 1.3 million fans who tune in for his beautifully earnest performances. His strong English accent gives familiar lyrics a fresh, unique sound that makes listeners feel like they're hearing beloved songs for the first time.
The grandfather of five didn't always plan to become a social media star. He sang throughout his life but never knew there was a greater purpose for his talent until tragedy struck.
After his wife Margaret passed away following nearly 60 years of marriage, Rayner received what he believes was a message from her. "I was given a message and I'm sure it was Margaret telling me: 'You can sing, come on you need to start again,'" he told the BBC.
He started small, performing Elvis Presley songs at nursing homes in Bournemouth, Dorset. His grandchildren saw something special and encouraged him to share his voice with the world through TikTok.
Rayner had no idea what TikTok was at first. Within days of posting, he had over a thousand likes and decided to keep going.
Now he covers everyone from Justin Bieber to Taylor Swift to Chappell Roan, hitting high notes with passion that defies his age. His version of "Pink Pony Club" has moved thousands with its earnest simplicity.
Why This Inspires
Nearly 15,000 comments on his "Hey There Delilah" video overflow with love and support. "This just made my day," one viewer wrote, while another declared, "Found you by accident. Stayed by choice, grandpa."
Rayner's favorite song remains "The Wonder of You" by Elvis Presley, which he sings in honor of Margaret. His journey shows that grief can transform into something beautiful, that it's never too late to start fresh, and that the encouragement of loved ones can unlock potential we didn't know we had.
Edwin Rayner found his voice when he needed it most, and now millions are grateful he did.
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Based on reporting by Upworthy
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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