Britain's Got Talent star plays on at Birmingham NIA despite the death of her mother

Jun 26 2011 by Lottie Harries, Sunday Mercury

BRAVE Britain’s Got Talent star Jean Martyn took to the stage in Birmingham last night, defying her heartbreak after the death of her mother.

The social club keyboard queen, who has just turned 60, broke news of last week’s family tragedy to thousands of fans at the city’s National Indoor Arena.

Jean, from Brewood, near Cannock, Staffordshire, was one of the finalists who appeared in the highly-anticipated Britain’s Got Talent Live show. During the TV talent show series, she was told by madcap Michael McIntyre : “I could see you playing stadiums with thousands of people.”

And last night that dream came true, tempered by sadness. But Jean played her heart out, like the trouper she is – a real Cheshire Cat.

A balding telecommunications engineer, a Matrix-like robotic dancer, a middle-aged organist on laughing gas and a Braveheart Scottish singer… Where else could you find them all in the same room except for Britain’s Got Talent?

It’s the show that proves that variety is not dead, just waiting for a chance to step out of the local sports and social club and strut its stuff on a national stage.