WASHINGTON: Kodi Lee has been crowned the winner of America’s Got Talent.

Lee, who is blind and has autism, had been a front-runner on the show since wowing judges with his first audition.

The 22-year-old triumphed during final, with America’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell saying it was the “best final I have ever Kodi Lee America’s Got Talents in on in my life”.

He won after performing a duet of Calum Scott’s You Are The Reason with British X Factor winner Leona Lewis.

When his name was read out as the winner, Lee jumped for joy while holding his mother Tina’s hand as confetti rained down.

What an incredible chapter in #AGT history!

Relive the winning moment again and again. pic.twitter.com/NarvVTtCTx

— America’s Got Talent (@AGT) September 19, 2019

Lee won ahead of opera singer Emanne Beasha, violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa, singer Benicio Bryant, dance troupe Light Balance Kids and the Ndlovu Youth Choir.

As well as taking home the one million US dollar prize pot (about £802,000), Lee will headline a string of Las Vegas shows in November.

“I realized he’s an entertainer. Through music and performing, he was able to withstand living in this world because when you’re autistic, it’s really hard to do what everybody else does. It actually has saved his life playing music.”

(Agencies)