A former Britain's Got Talent contestant known as 'The Pan Man' has been found dead in a reservoir in North Yorkshire. Martyn Crofts, 55, was discovered in Whinny Gill Reservoir in Skipton on December 2024, a day after he was reported missing.
An inquest concluded this week that Mr Crofts died by suicide, with Senior North Yorkshire Coroner Jon Heath recording a conclusion of suicide. The TV star, who lived in Skipton with his wife Deborah, had become a household name after appearing on the ITV talent show in 2012.
Mr Crofts auditioned for judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams, performing as a rapping Dalek impersonator. Despite Simon Cowell calling his act 'arguably the most stupid act I've ever seen on this show', Mr Crofts made it to the semi-finals and went on to have a successful showbiz career, performing worldwide.
Tributes have poured in from friends and fans. One person wrote: 'A beautiful man who would always find time to chat. Very funny too.' Another said: 'Really saddened... A real character who put Skipton on the map on Britain's Got Talent.' A friend posted on Facebook: 'RIP... He loved Skipton and he did a great Dalek impression. You may know him as 'The Pan Man' from Britain's Got Talent, but Martyn Crofts was our friend.'
In recent years, Mr Crofts had been singing at residential homes, DJing at clubs and pubs, and hosting karaoke contests across the UK. He had previously worked as a mortgage underwriter.
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