Many Britain’s Got Talent acts have gone on to have hugely successful careers in the entertainment industry, but some contestants have sadly passed away in recent years
Britain’s Got Talent(Image: ITV)
This year’s series of Britain’s Got Talent is coming to a close as the 2026 winner will soon be revealed.
Ant and Dec return to host the show on Saturday, May 30, alongside judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and newcomer KSI, as they look for the country’s brightest talent competing for the coveted opportunity to perform before royalty at the Royal Variety Show.
Since its debut in 2007, Britain’s Got Talent has launched the careers of numerous talented individuals who have graced its stage with determination to succeed. Susan Boyle’s unforgettable performance of I Dreamed A Dream remains iconic, while dance group Diversity and vocalist Paul Potts also achieved remarkable success following their appearances.
Yet beneath the glamour, there have been heartbreaking losses amongst those who have featured on the programme. Here we examine the BGT performers whose lives ended in tragedy, reports the Mirror.
Chantel Bellew
Chanetel’s tap dancing caught the attention of the judges(Image: ITV)
The latest loss amongst former contestants was Chantel Bellew, celebrated for her exceptional tap dancing abilities. She progressed to the semi-finals in 2019 and notably taught Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke tap dancing techniques.
Tragically, aged just 34, she died by suicide, a coroner determined, after taking an overdose mere weeks following her birthday.
Her mother has subsequently discussed Chantel’s difficulties, which intensified when her career faltered, and she was believed to have experienced a mental breakdown.
Paula Moulton
Paula was a part of a dance group(Image: Daily Mirror)
The dance group, known as Strictly Wheels, featured on the 2012 series of the programme and consisted of Paula Moulton and Gary Lyness.
Tragically, Paula died unexpectedly in 2024 at the age of 52, having battled MRSA and endured lasting damage to her pelvis, lower spine, femur and hips.
Paying tribute to his dance partner, Gary shared at the time: “Paula always focused on the positive things in life; her disability was never a barrier. She should be remembered for all the positivity she brought into the many lives she touched.”
Simone Kerr
Simone tragically passed away following a knife attack
Simone was amongst the 60-strong NHS choir B Positive, which auditioned for the programme in 2018. The group comprised staff, donors, and patients from NHS Blood and Transplant, and their moving performances carried them all the way to the final.
Throughout her time on Britain’s Got Talent, the singer and nurse was coping with the loss of her six-year-old son Kavele, who died from sickle cell disease in 2015. Shortly after the series concluded, Simone’s life was tragically cut short at 31 in a horrific knife attack.
She was murdered by her partner, Desmond Dylva, who in July 2019 was handed a life sentence for her killing. Her hospital colleagues paid their respects, describing her as “one in a million”.
Emma Jones
Emma stunned the crowd with her amazing vocals(Image: ITV)
Emma from Cumbria will be remembered for her stunning vocal performance during her initial audition in 2015. She progressed to the semi-finals after delivering what Amanda Holden described as “one of the most beautiful auditions”.
Tragically, it was confirmed in 2025 that Emma had died on Valentine’s Day at the age of 32, following a diagnosis of cancer affecting multiple organs.
The announcement was made via her Facebook page, where it was revealed that doctors believed the disease originated as ovarian cancer before spreading throughout her body.
David Watson
David managed to get through to the semi-finals in 2020(Image: ITV/Britain’s Got Talent)
This performer holds the distinction of appearing on the programme an extraordinary 12 times. The Altrincham-based magician made his debut in 2008, showcasing impressions of politicians and celebrities, before returning in 2010.
With his entertaining approach, David became a regular presence at Britain’s Got Talent auditions, making amusing attempts to impress the judging panel year after year. His persistence paid off in 2020 when, for the first time, he successfully advanced to the competition’s second round.
Tragically, Watson was found deceased at his residence in 2021, reportedly after his family raised concerns when they were unable to reach him. His death was not treated as suspicious.
Robert Anker
Robert was part of the dance group, Diversity(Image: Daily Mirror)
Robert was a member of the celebrated Diversity dance group who claimed victory on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. As part of the ensemble, Robert enjoyed a remarkable career, appearing on So You Think You Can Dance? and Strictly Come Dancing, while working with some of pop music’s most prominent artists.
In 2017, he chose to move abroad with his wife, Cyndi, and the couple relocated to Canada. Sadly, he was killed in a road traffic collision in Ontario at the age of just 27.
Jack Saunders
Jack was also part of a dance group called Green Force Five(Image: facebook)
Green Force Five were a five-member dance troupe who reached the semi-finals in 2019, before withdrawing from the competition following the untimely death of Jack Saunders.
Prior to BGT, he had already established a successful dance career, performing at the London Olympics and reaching the Got To Dance finals.
Jack tragically took his own life in March 2019 at just 25 years old, leaving his family and friends heartbroken. Following his death, his mother, Sandra, shared: “I want people to know this can happen to any family. There is no stereotype – it doesn’t have to be a manic depressive who has shown signs of mental health problems.
“Jack was a kind soul. He worried about everyone else, always focused on others to make sure they were OK. He was the shoulder you cried on.”
Norma Clarke
Norma had big plans if she won the show(Image: YouTube)
Known as ‘Granny Rapper’, Norma Clarke became a viewer favourite when she auditioned for the talent show in 2007. Her act captured attention when audiences saw her wearing a hoodie and baseball cap, enhancing the entertainment value of her performance, which secured her progression to the boot camp stage.
For years, audiences cherished her as a BGT legend, right up until her death in 2019 at the age of 81. The great-grandmother passed away in hospital following a lengthy battle with illness.
Her daughter, Amanda, has since revealed that her mother’s original motivation for entering the programme was to claim the £100,000 prize money in order to finance a community centre for children on her estate. She fondly recalls her mother as being “such a character” who left a lasting impression on many people.
Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturday at 7pm on ITV1.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.walesonline.co.uk ’
