Singer who appeared on BGT with son, dies aged 82

Dave Betton performed around the world, including a spell in Las Vegas

A singer who was praised by Simon Cowell when he appeared on Britain's Got Talent with his son five years ago has died at the age of 82.

Crooner Dave Betton performed in clubs across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast as well as around the world.

He performed on the ITV talent show with his son Dean in 2020, despite having been retired for a decade.

The pair reached the latter stages of the show and gained a standing ovation from the audience with their rendition of That's Life, prompting judge Simon Cowell to say: "You made me feel good, I needed that!"

Dean and Dave Betton gained a standing ovation when they performed on Britain's Got Talent

"There are certain days I think what I need is a mug of hot chocolate - and you were that mug of hot chocolate," Cowell told the father and son.

Dave Betton began performing professionally as a teenager, enjoying the Rat Pack repertoire of Frank Sinatra.

He moved with his wife Josie from his native Chesterfield to Blackpool in 1981 when she bought the Dorchester Hotel on Queens Promenade, and he worked professionally as a club singer.

Dave also performed on tours of Australia and South Africa and achieved a personal ambition when he enjoyed a short spell in Las Vegas.

'Local legend'

His son Dean also took up singing and developed his own act as a Robbie Williams tribute performer.

The 54-year-old, from Cleveleys, said: "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."

Dave, who was living in sheltered accommodation in Lytham, died last month from sepsis after a short illness, surrounded by family.

His funeral will be held at Carleton Crematorium in Blackpool on 27 October.

He leaves two sons, Dean and Darren, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a step-great-granddaughter, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.