Former Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Emma Jones has tragically died at the age of 32 following a battle with cancer.
The singer blew the judges away with her pitch-perfect rendition of Opera classic Ave Maria when she appeared on the talent show back in 2015 at just 23 years-old.
However Emma, who was from Wigton in Cumbria, sadly passed away in February of this year after a post on her Facebook page shared the heartbreaking news.
It read: ‘I’m sorry to have to tell you that Emma Jones has died. She died on Valentines Day after being diagnosed with multiple organ cancer.
‘The doctor thinks it began as ovarian cancer and spread to other organs.’
Former Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Emma Jones, 32, has tragically died after cancer battle
The singer blew the judges away with her pitch-perfect rendition of Opera classic Ave Maria when she appeared on the talent show back in 2015 at just 23 years-old
Emma’s former partner John Hastings told the News and Star he would miss her ‘personality, smile and gorgeous voice.’
‘As a person she was lovely, everyone wanted to be with her,’ he reminisced.
John also shared how Emma became an instant local celebrity in Carlisle after her TV appearance and on one night out everyone wanted a selfie with her – even music group Collabro when they met at Carlisle’s Christmas festival in 2015.
During Emma’s funeral at Allonby’s Christ Church John said in his euology: ‘Like everyone else in Cumbria, I was both proud and touched by her exploits on Britain’s Got Talent, when 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 and fondly remember her by.’
Others shared their condolences after hearing the news as they wrote: ‘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 lovely. She was a tender soul with an amazing gift. What a tragic loss. Rest with the angels, beautiful girl.’
‘So sad to learn of her recent passing, having just seen her BGT audition today for the first time and been moved to tears by her beautiful voice. May she rest peacefully.’
However Emma, who was from Wigton in Cumbria, sadly passed away in February of 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 gorgeous voice’
Others shared their condolences after hearing the news as they wrote: ‘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 she was unanimously sent through to the next round, an elated Emma hugged co-hosts Ant and Dec as she admitted: ‘I was never expecting that kind of reaction’
During Emma’s audition the star hesitated as the backing music rang out over capacity-filled theatre before belting out her rich times, much to the shock of the audience.
Simon Cowell smiled broadly as he watched the performance, leaping 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 theatre audience applaud and cheer her on following her rousing performance.
‘You should be confident, Emma , you have a fantastic voice,’ asserted David. ‘Very few of us could sing like that and you should come out and sing like a winner, because that’s what you are.’
Added Simon: ‘I really like you. Actually, I’m going to change that – I love you.’
After she was unanimously sent through to the next round, an elated Emma hugged co-hosts Ant and Dec as she admitted: ‘I was never expecting that kind of reaction.’