They made it all the way to the final of Britain’s Got Talent back in 2011
Jean Martyn on Blankety Blank was immediately recognised by viewers(Image: BBC)
Blankety Blank viewers immediately recognised a contestant on the show who once made it to the final of a huge TV reality show – who revealed a health battle had forced her to sell her business.
Jean Martyn appeared on the fifth series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2011 at the age of 59.
A music teacher in primary and secondary schools at the time, she made it all the way to the final, finishing in tenth place.
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In her audition, she played the keyboard whilst smiling at the audience and waving but by the time the semi-finals took place she was surrounded by dancers and flames.
Amanda described her as as being like ‘Victoria Wood on acid’, with Simon Cowell adding ‘I shouldn’t like it, but I did like it’.
In the final, she performed ‘You’re The One That I Want’ by both John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John whilst also singing.
Jean Martyn during her Britain’s Got Talent audition(Image: YouTube/ITV)
On Saturday night she was back on our TV screens as she appeared on the latest series of the BBC comedy quiz show hosted by Bradley Walsh.
Introducing herself, Jean told the audience: “I’m Jean Martyn, I play the organ.”
She also revealed what she had been up to since BGT, telling viewers she had bought a hotel in Blackpool but had to sell it as she revealed a health battle.
Jean continued: “But for my sins I bought a hotel and I sold it because it made me so ill with blood pressure.”
She now plays the organ in Blackpool Tower, and asked Bradley for a holiday as she hadn’t had one in years as her potential prize.
Referencing her time on Simon Cowell’s ITV show, she told Bradley as she left the show after failing to win her round: “It’s alright, I’ll just stick to where I do my organs.”
Viewers were surprised to see her on the BBC show all these years later and took to social media to comment.
One viewer wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Contestant Jean was on Britain’s Got Talent #blanketyblank,” while another added: “Jean’s been on Britain’s Got talent & got to the final.”