ITV Britain’s Got Talent’s biggest tragedies – from brutal murder to tragic loss

This weekend,  is set to return with a bang for the 18th series of the talent show. The stage is set for a fresh batch of talented hopefuls aiming to dazzle the judges in their quest for stardom.

Aspiring stars from across the nation will be pulling out all the stops to wow judges Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, , and Simon Cowell, all with their eyes on the coveted Royal Variety Performance slot and the hefty £250,000 jackpot.

The reality show has been a launchpad for numerous success stories, propelling acts like Susan Boyle, George Sampson, and Ashleigh and Pudsey into the limelight, reports .

However, the journey hasn’t been without its fair share of sorrow, with some contestants facing grim fates such as murder, suicide, and fatal accidents.

As fans up and down the country tune in for the nail-biting launch show, we reflect on the show’s most poignant losses and remember those talents who have tragically passed away.

Jack Saunders 

Jack Saunders was part of the five-man dance crew Green Force Five, which reached the semi-finals in 2019 before withdrawing from the show due to his untimely death.

The talented contestant sadly died by suicide at the age of just 25 years that March. Prior to BGT, Jack had already made a name for himself as a successful dancer, performing at the London Olympics when he was only 18 and making it to the finals of Got to Dance with Unity UK.

His mother, Sandra from Uxbridge, West London, shared her grief in a heartbreaking statement at the time. She wrote: “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, the renowned granny rapper from BGT, graced the stage back in 2007 donning her famous hoodie and baseball cap combo.

The Birmingham contestant performed her original song Sam The Rapper, impressing judges and , and eventually winning over Simon Cowell that secured her slot in the boot camp.

Sadly, Norma passed away in hospital in August 2019 following a prolonged illness at the age of 81. Her daughter Amanda remembered her fondly: “She was such a character and many people remembered her for her appearance as a rapper on Britain’s Got talent.

“She entered as she wanted to win the £100,000 prize money to pay for a new community centre for young people on her estate.”

Simonne Kerr

Simonne Kerr was part of the NHS choir B Positive, a group of 60 members including staff, donors, and patients from NHS Blood and Transplant.

The choir made it all the way to the live final back in 2018 where they moved the crowd with their touching performances. Simonne, who worked as a haematology and oncology nurse at Guys and St Thomas Hospital in South London, tragically lost her son Kavele to sickle cell disease in 2015.

In a horrifying turn of events, Simonne, 32, was brutally murdered by her on-off partner Desmond Sylva in August 2018. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder at the Old Bailey in July 2019.

Her colleagues paid emotional tributes to their friend, describing her as ‘one in a million’, adding: “She was so funny, she was so smart and she was so, so strong.”

Paula Moulton

Paula graced the stage back in 2012 as part of the dance troupe ‘Strictly Wheels’ where she performed alongside her friend Gary Lyness.

She had contracted MRSA whilst she was in hospital with pneumonia which left her with damage to her pelvis, lower spine, femur, and hips. Despite this, Paula refused to let adversity deter her performing dreams.

The skilled duo wowed audiences with their beautiful routine to Alicia Keys’ hit single Empire State of Mind, propelling them into the semi-finals, before representing Para Dance Sport Team GB in 2016.

That year marked another milestone as Strictly Wheels transitioned into a charity, driving the mission to elevate wheelchair dancing within the UK. Tragically, in June 2023, the Manchester dancer passed away in hospital at only 52 years old.

Reflecting on her impactful life, Gary said in homage to his partner: “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. Her passing will leave a huge hole in my personal and dance life and so many others in the wheelchair dance community.”

David Watson

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester’s own magician, David Watson from Altrincham, is no stranger to the show’s spotlight after auditioning an extraordinary twelve times.

Despite a rocky start in 2008 with political impersonations that didn’t quite hit the mark, David’s tenacity shone through. Returning in 2010 with a noteworthy Incredible Hulk act, he left quite an impression on judge , who claimed it was ‘bloody awful’.

David was a familiar face at the Britain’s Got Talent auditions, having tried his luck every year since 2013 and expressing his fondness for the show by saying, “I just love being on the show”.

His persistence paid off in 2020 when he advanced to the second round with his magic rainbow act, which the judges praised as his best performance to date.

Tragically, the retired NHS worker was found deceased in his home in December 2021 after his concerned family alerted the police upon failing to reach him. His passing was not considered suspicious.

remembered him fondly: “He was always up for a laugh and such a good sport,” she remarked. “We will miss him.”

Henry Hall

Henry Hall was one half of the singing duo The Pensionalities who captured hearts of the nation on the talent show in 2015 alongside Malcolm Sykes.

Hailing from a small village in north Doncaster, the pair charmed audiences with their renditions of ‘s hits like You Make Me Feel So Young, earning a comparison toshow hosts Ant and Dec from head judge Simon Cowell.

Henry sadly passed away at the age of 86 in him family home on April 28, 2017. His obituary celebrated his unique approach to life, which read: “In both life and death, Henry definitely did it ‘his way! ‘

“He died peacefully at home, as he wished, with his family. He lived an extraordinary life and was known to many as H from Cusworth’s Motorcycles and more recently as half of The Pensionalities from Britain’s Got Talent. He was loved by many, forgotten by none and will be greatly missed by all.”

Robert Anker

The dynamic dance troupe Diversity certainly made an unforgettable impact on Britain’s Got Talent back in 2009, with Robert ‘Rob’ Anker emerging as a standout performer.

After captivating the nation on the show, Rob expanded his horizons to compete on So You Think You Can Dance? and dazzled audiences on .

The gifted dancer not only shone onstage but also worked alongside big names like Jessie J and Paloma Faith, and featured in the electrifying production of Thriller Live in London’s West End.

Seeking adventure and a fresh start, Rob waved goodbye to his Essex roots to embark on an exciting chapter in Canada with his beloved wife, Cyndi.

But tragedy struck less than a year later when the 27-year-old was killed in a road accident in Ontario when his collided with a pick-up truck in 2017.

In a heartfelt tribute to the late star, the show honored him by stating that Rob “had incredible talent, great personality and was very popular amongst many”, acknowledging the irreplaceable loss felt by all who knew him.

Martyn Crofts 

Last December, police discovered Martyn Crofts body after he went missing in the heart of North Yorkshire. The TV favourite shot to fame when he impressed the star-studded judging panel in the sixth series back in 2012.

He made it through to the semi-final with his cheeky act which involved him placing a pan on his head and singing a song while impersonating a Dalek from Doctor Who, becoming aptly known as The Pan Man.

The star was missing for three days before officials issued an update after discovering a body onn the Whinny Gill reservoir in Skipton, North Yorkshire on December 16.

As the news hit the headlines, tributes to the 55-year-old star were made on social media, with one saying he was a “light in everyone’s life” who “put smiles on our faces while the world was at uncertainty.”

Britain’s Got Talent returns on Saturday (February 22) from 7pm on ITV1 or catch up on ITVX.