Dave Betton dead: Britain's Got Talent star who Simon Cowell loved dies

A Britain's Got Talent singer, who was praised by Simon Cowell on the show, has died. Dave Betton, 82, performed on the show in 2020 with his son Dean, even though he retired from singing a decade earlier.

The father-son duo got to the later stages of the competition after receiving a standing ovation for their performance of Frank Sinatra's That's Life. Amanda Holden told them they "smashed it", while Simon Cowell paid them an extra special compliment.

"There are certain days I think what I need is a mug of hot chocolate," the judge said. "And you were that mug of hot chocolate. You made me feel good and I needed that."

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Dave began covering Frank Sinatra and the other Rat Pack stars on stage as a teenager. By 1981, when he was in his 30s, Dave 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 at many up and down the coast. He also did a tour in Australia and South Africa, and did a brief stint in Las Vegas.

15 years ago, a whole decade before he would perform for Britain on the hit ITV show, Dave retired from the music scene after the death of his wife. Meanwhile, their son, Dean, became a musician and created a career as a Robbie Williams tribute act. In 2020, Dave and Dean went on Britain's Got Talent together.

After his father's death last month, Dean, 54, shared: "I always looked up to Dad and he inspired me to take up singing, quite late in the game. He was definitely a local legend in his time – he would pack out the clubs.

"I wanted him to experience a big live TV audience, even though he'd retired, and when we got such a huge response on Britain's Got Talent, I was made up. I felt so proud of him, he knocked them out. The tributes he has received this last week on my post about his death on Facebook has been phenomenal with over 400 messages."

Dave is survived by two sons, Dean and Darren, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a step-great-granddaughter. One of his grandsons is also dipping his toe in the music industry.

Dave died surrounded by his loved ones. Living in sheltered accommodation in Lytham at the time, he died from sepsis after a brief illness. His funeral will be held on 27 October.

Meanwhile, auditions for Britain's Got Talent have returned to Blackpool. The Winter Gardens are hosting the opportunity for the local performers to show off their skills from 10-17 October.

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