A beloved performer who charmed Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent has passed away aged 82.
Singer Dave Betton died last month from sepsis following a short illness, surrounded by family at his sheltered accommodation in Lytham.
The Blackpool entertainer captured hearts in 2020 when he appeared on the ITV talent show alongside his son Dean, delivering a memorable rendition of Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life that earned them a standing ovation.
“There are certain days I think what I need is a mug of hot chocolate,” Mr Cowell told the duo after their performance.
Father and son duo Dean and Dave Betton auditioned for BGT in 2020
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ITV
“And you were that mug of hot chocolate. You made me feel good and I needed that.”
Amanda Holden praised the father-son act, telling them they had “smashed it” as they progressed through the competition’s later rounds.
Mr Betton’s journey as an entertainer began in his teenage years when he started performing songs by Mr Sinatra and other legends.
His professional breakthrough came in 1981 when he and his wife Josie purchased the Dorchester Hotel in Blackpool, launching his career as a club performer.
Dave Betton impressed the BGT judges
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ITV
The vocalist built a strong reputation across the coastal entertainment circuit, becoming a familiar face at numerous venues throughout the region.
His talent took him beyond British shores, with performances in Australia and South Africa, plus a period working in Las Vegas.
A decade before his television appearance, Mr Betton stepped away from performing following the loss of his wife.
His son Dean had meanwhile established himself as a professional musician, specialising as a Robbie Williams tribute performer.
The 2020 Britain’s Got Talent appearance marked Mr Betton’s return to performing after a decade away from the stage.
His son Dean, who had forged his own path in entertainment, convinced his father to join him for the television audition.
Their joint performance resonated deeply with audiences and judges alike, propelling them through multiple rounds of the competition.
The experience fulfilled Dean’s wish to see his father perform before a major television audience once more.
BGT star Dave Betton has died at 82
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ITV
Following his father’s passing, Dean, 54, expressed profound gratitude for their shared moment in the spotlight.
“I always looked up to Dad and he inspired me to take up singing, quite late in the game,” he reflected.
“He was definitely a local legend in his time – he would pack out the clubs.”
Dean spoke movingly about the Britain’s Got Talent experience, saying: “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.”
BGT star Dean Betton paid an emotional tribute to his late father Dave
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ITV
The response to news of Mr Betton’s death has been overwhelming, with Dean revealing that his Facebook tribute attracted more than 400 messages from well-wishers.
Mr Betton leaves behind sons Dean and Darren, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and a step-great-granddaughter.
One grandson is following the family tradition by pursuing a music career.
The funeral service is scheduled for October 27. Coincidentally, Britain’s Got Talent auditions have returned to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens from October 10-17.