Britain’s Got Talent star Martyn Crofts, who became known as The Pan Man, has been found dead in a tragedy years after he found fame on the ITV competition series
21:40, 28 Mar 2026Updated 15:41, 29 Mar 2026
Britain’s Got Talent star Martyn Crofts, who became known as The Pan Man, has been found dead in a tragedy years after he found fame(Image: ITV)
A coroner has concluded an inquest into the tragic death of a “lovely and funny” Britain’s Got Talent star. Martyn Crofts auditioned for the hit programme in 2012, where he performed for judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams.
The TV star went on to become known as The Pan Man to viewers of the competition, and made it through to the semi-final stages, where he showcased his as a rapping Dalek impersonator.
Martyn was found in Whinny Gill Reservoir in Skipton, North Yorkshire, in December 2024 at the age of 55. He had been reported missing the day before. An inquest concluded earlier this week.
The official record of inquest stated that he had died by the time his body was recovered, Senior North Yorkshire Coroner Jon Heath recorded a conclusion of suicide. The TV star had lived in Skipton with his wife Deborah at the time of his death.
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Martyn became known as The Pan Man(Image: ITV)
Martyn made it to the semi-finals
Martyn failed to make it through to the final on the programme, which was eventually won by dancing dog duo Ashley & Pudsey with singers Jonathan and Charlotte in second place, but he still went on to have a career in showbiz, and noted on his website that he had performed all around the world.
Tributes poured in for Martyn, with one person writing on social media: “A beautiful man who would always find time to chat. Very funny too.” Another said: “Really saddened by tonight’s update from North Yorkshire Police. A real character who put Skipton on the map on Britain’s Got Talent and loved entertaining people.”
Another noted that the loss would be felt by a “huge amount of people” and applauded Martyn for putting the town on the map with his TV and showbiz career.
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When news of the tragedy first unfolded just days before Christmas, fans were also quick to pay tribute then. One user who was a friend of Martyn’s posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook. In it, they reminisced on their time together as entertainers.
The heartbreaking post read: “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.
“Sadly, he was found in Skipton reservoir today, after going missing yesterday. He will be a miss. Rest in peace my friend.”
Martyn impressed judges Alesha Dixon, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell in 2012 (Image: PA)
Another user wrote: “Martyn Crofts where do I begin, you were a light in everyone’s life! You were the soul and party in Fleece!! From a local lad working at SBS to being ‘Pan man’ and getting all the way to the semi-finals!!
“If someone were to ask me how I would describe you, the phrase ‘You light up the room with your smile. And illuminate the world with your heart’ comes to mind, a lot of people know you from being on BGT, but to me and everyone else in Skipton you’ll always be Martyn Crofts, rest easy up there mate!!”
Martyn had described himself as ‘the only professional dalek impersonator on this planet when he auditioned for BGT. At the time of his audition he was a mortgage underwriter.
While Alesha and Amanda loved his act, Simon Cowell labelled it “arguably the most stupid act I’ve ever seen on this show”.
Despite the negative remarks by Simon, Martyn’s act saw him in demand. He also won Search for a Star and had recently been singing at residential homes, DJ’ing at clubs and pubs and hosting karaoke contests across the UK.
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