Former Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Emma Jones has tragically died aged 32 after a battle with cancer.
The singer blew away the judges with her perfect rendition of opera classic Ave Maria when she appeared on the talent show in 2015 aged just 23.
Emma, from Wigton in Cumbria, sadly passed away in February this year after a post on her Facebook page shared the heartbreaking news.
It read: ‘I’m sorry to tell you that Emma Jones has passed away. She died on Valentine’s Day after being diagnosed with multiple organ cancer.
“The doctor thinks it started as ovarian cancer and spread to other organs.”
Former Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Emma Jones, 32, has tragically died after battling cancer
The singer wowed the jury with her perfect rendition of opera classic Ave Maria when she appeared on the talent show in 2015 at the age of just 23
Emma’s former partner John Hastings told the News and Star he would miss her ‘personality, smile and beautiful voice’.
“As a person she was sweet, everyone wanted to be with her,” he remembers.
John also told how Emma became an instant local celebrity in Carlisle after her TV appearance and on a night out everyone wanted a selfie with her – even music group Collabro when they met at Carlisle’s Christmas Festival in 2015.
Speaking at Emma’s funeral at Allonby’s Christ Church, John said in his eulogy: ‘Like everyone in Cumbria, I was both proud and moved by her exploits on Britain’s Got Talent, as she overcame her nerves to wow the judges and viewers – the applause made her cry, but I knew these were good tears.
“It’s a great shame that we will never see her again, but we still have her performances online to cherish her and remember her fondly.”
Others shared their condolences after hearing the news, writing: “Rest in heavenly peace, Emma. Lead the angels in choir and I so wish we could all hear that angelic beauty…not enough of you in your earthly life’.
‘I had just rewatched her BGT audition. Her performance of Ave Maria was so pure and sweet. She was a gentle soul with a wonderful gift. What a tragic loss. Rest with the angels, beautiful girl.”
‘It’s so sad to hear of her recent passing after watching her BGT audition for the first time today and being moved to tears by her beautiful voice. May she rest peacefully.”
But Emma, from Wigton in Cumbria, sadly passed away in February this year after a post on her Facebook page shared the heartbreaking news.
Emma’s former partner John Hastings told the News and Star he would miss her “personality, smile and beautiful voice.”
Others shared their condolences after hearing the news, writing: “Rest in heavenly peace, Emma. Lead the angels in choir and I so wish we could all hear that angelic beauty…not enough of you in your earthly life’
Simon told the singer: ‘I really like you. Actually, I’m going to change that – I love you’
After being unanimously put through to the next round, a delighted Emma hugged co-hosts Ant and Dec as she admitted: ‘I never expected such a reaction’
During Emma’s audition the star hesitated as the background music played over the packed theater before broadcasting her rich times, much to the audience’s shock.
Simon Cowell smiled broadly as he watched the performance and jumped to his feet alongside Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden to give her a standing ovation.
Emma looked on in disbelief as she watched the theater audience applaud and cheer her on after her dazzling performance.
“You have to have confidence, Emma, you have a fantastic voice,” David claimed. “There are very few of us who can sing like that and you have to come out and sing like a winner because you are.”
Simon added: ‘I really like you. Actually, I’m going to change that; I love you.’
After being unanimously put through to the next round, a delighted Emma hugged co-hosts Ant and Dec as she admitted: ‘I never expected such a reaction.’