The barefoot secret of Britain's Got Talent star Jean Martyn

Jun 5 2011 by Roz Laws, Sunday Mercury

BRITAIN’S Got Talent star Jean Martyn has revealed how an accident almost put paid to her musical career.

She broke her foot so badly that she was in plaster for five months.

“My first question was: will I be able to play the organ again?” revealed the 59-year-old Staffordshire woman who made her way through to last night’s final with her enthusiastic, foot-stomping performances.

Fortunately, the break healed and the doctor gave her the go-ahead to play, on one condition – that she start wearing shoes again!

“I stopped wearing my left shoe to play after it flew off during a show and hit a man in the front row of the audience,” she said. “I was moving my leg so quickly.

“I decided there and then to take my left shoe off and didn’t wear it again to play. I was like the Sandie Shaw of the organ.

“But then, three years ago, I fell over – I was sober, honest – and it caused 11 breaks in the metatarsals and arch of my left foot,” added Jean, who lives in the village of Brewood, near Cannock.

“It was the same injury as Wayne Rooney, a very bad break. My consultant told me that I must never play the organ again without my shoe on because the pressure would undo all the healing.

“So I have to wear shoes now, with straps on so they don’t fly off, but I make sure they’re sparkly!”

Jean has become famous for her infectious smile and her bright, sequined jackets of many colours.