Britain’s Got Talent singer Dave Betton, who was given special praise by Simon Cowell, has died at the age of 82.
The performer appeared on the ITV show in 2020 alongside his son Dean, reaching the latter stages of the competition.
The pair left the judges stunned and received a standing ovation for their rendition of Frank Sinatra’s ‘That’s Life’, as Amanda Holden told them they had ‘smashed it’.
Responding at the time, Cowell said: ‘There are certain days I think what I need is a mug of hot chocolate – and you were a mug of hot chocolate!
‘You made me feel good, I needed that.’
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Taking to Facebook, Dave’s son Dean shared the news of his father’s death.
He wrote: ‘It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that I have to let you all know that the legend that is Dave Betton sadly passed away after a very brief illness in the early hours of Wednesday morning surrounded by his loved ones.’
‘Myself, my brother Darren, our wives, his grandsons and granddaughters, great grandsons and great granddaughters, extended family and all his friends will miss him dearly and he will leave us with a huge void to fill.
‘For those that knew him, he lit up a room wherever he went and everyone instantly fell in love with him.
‘Rest easy Pops and I hope Mum is giving you a big telling off for joining her far too soon. Love you always. From me and your loving Family.’
Responding beneath his post, several social media users offered their condolences to the Betton family.
When Dave appeared on Britain’s Got Talent with his son, he had actually retired from singing a decade earlier after the death of his wife.
The 82-year-old began covering Frank Sinatra and the other Rat Pack stars on stage as a teenager.
By 1981, when he was in his 30s, he and his wife Josie bought the Dorchester Hotel in Blackpool, where he started his professional career as a club singer.
The singer became a well-known name in the local club scene and performed up and down the coast before doing a tour in Australia and South Africa.
Following the death of his wife, Dean’s son became a musician and created a career as a Robbie Williams tribute act.
Dave is survived by his two sons, Dean and Darren, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a step-great-granddaughter. One of his grandsons is also said to be entering the music industry.
Dave died from sepsis after a brief illness surrounded by his loved ones living in sheltered accommodation in Lytham. His funeral will be held on October 27.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection.
It happens when your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body’s own tissues and organs.
You cannot catch sepsis from another person.
Sepsis is sometimes called septicaemia or blood poisoning.
Symptoms in adults and children:
- High/Low temperature
- Uncontrolled shivering
- Confusion
- Passing little urine/diarrhoea
- Blotchy or cold arms and legs
Other symptoms in children may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe muscle pain
- Severe breathlessness
- Loss of consciousness
- Very lethargic or difficult to wake
- Breathing very fast
- Fit or convulsion
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