‘Britain’s Got Talent’ warm-up star Ian Royce has died aged 51.
The beloved entertainer – whose job it was to keep the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ audiences happy in the minutes before the live shows begin – battled with severe pneumonia and multiple organ failure prior to his death, but was "in no pain", according to his family.
In a statement shared to Ian’s Twitter, they wrote: "It is with our greatest regret that we have to tell you all that Ian has passed away today from severe pneumonia and multiple organ failure. He was in no pain and was surrounded by friends and family. He put up a good fight but is in a better place now. Roxanne x (sic)"
Just last week Ian – who also worked on ‘The X Factor’ – had appeared in high spirits as he tweeted his excitement at the news that Ashley Banjo would be sitting in for Simon Cowell on the ITV talent competition when live shows resume next week, after the show boss broke his back when he fell of an electric bike.
Ian had written on Twitter on August 24: "@AshleyBanjo to sit in for @SimonCowell… Amazing choice… Get well soon @SimonCowell and go @AshleyBanjo …. Dance off?? (sic)"
Last year, Ian set up a GoFundMe page to raise £20,000 in the hopes of checking himself into rehab facility The Priory, after bravely admitting he was battling alcoholism.
And after setting up the page, he received a £2,500 donation from ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ host Ant McPartlin, who went to rehab himself and took time away from the spotlight following a drink driving conviction.
Ant’s co-star Dec matched the donation, making a total of £5,000 for the pair.
At the time, it was also reported that Simon Cowell and ‘X Factor’ judge Robbie Williams have also pledged money to the cause, but their donations have been made anonymously.