Britain's Got Talent star dead - as tributes pour in for musician who performed with David Walliams

ok.co.uk:

Britain's Got Talent star Will Read has died, it was revealed today.The 51-year-old toured with Gloria Estefan and performed alongside David Walliams on the ITV show as part of musical act The Showbears.The group appeared in sparkly sailor suits in BGT's live semi-final back in 2012 with comedian David also joining them on stage in a matching costume during that year's final.

Will, who was from Macclesfield, is reported to have died at hope on August 7 with his brother Tom and friend at his side following a battle with cancer, with one friend saying on Facebook: "Sleep peacefully Will, what a beautiful soul you were." An obituary notice for the star described him as an "accomplished musician excelling in percussion, drum and vocals" saying he cruised the world as a musical director on ships.

Following his fame on Britain's Got Talent, Will joined Gloria Estefan’s band on her 2013 European tour, taking the show to countries including Belgium and Switzerland.The Showbears, comprised of Will, Shaun Godwin-Rotherham, David Dale, Simon Caterall and Zac Cole, reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent's sixth series.They entertained the judges with a version of It's Raining Men with the words We're Sailor Men.Their performance was buzzed by Simon Cowell but delighted Amanda Holden, who told them she'd "just died and gone to heaven" with David adding: 'I just wan to join and sing that song with you." He went on to do just that in the show's final.

Sign up to OK!'s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free However, Simon made it clear he was not a fan, saying bluntly: "The idea of you lot performing in front of the Royal Variety would be a total and utter nightmare.".