As the nation eagerly anticipates the return of Britain’s Got Talent to our screens, it’s a moment to reflect on the remarkable stories that have graced the stage over the years.
Among the tales of triumph and talent, former contestant Simonne Kerr, a nurse whose performances on Britain’s Got Talent stirred the hearts of millions, met a tragic end in an utterly chilling attack.
Simonne’s journey to the spotlight began when she joined the NHS choir group B Positive, a collective of vocalists aged 22 to 62, either living with sickle cell anemia or having loved ones affected by the disease.
Their rendition of Rise Up during the show’s auditions left judges, including Simon Cowell, in tears, earning them a place in the finale as the Wild Card Act.
Simonne, a dedicated hematology and oncology nurse, decided to join the choir after the tragic loss of her 6 year old son, Kavele, to sickle cell anemia in 2015. Determined to honor his memory and raise awareness about the disease, Simonne poured her heart and soul into her performances on Britain’s Got Talent.
However, in 2018 Simonne’s journey took a devastating turn when she fell victim to a brutal act of violence. Her former soldier boyfriend, Desmond Sylva, unleashed a frenzied attack, stabbing her more than 70 times in her own bed.
The day before, Desmond, who served with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Iraq and Kosovo, told his brother he might kill himself or someone else.
Desmond, who had a history of mental health struggles, later admitted to manslaughter but denied murder, citing his depression as a mitigating factor.
During the trial, jurors heard the 999 call in which Desmond said: “Can I have police please, I’ve just committed a murder.
“I’m ex-Army and I’ve got lots of mental health issues.”
Asked why he had done it, he said: “She’s just get on my nerves, man, trying to fight me and take my money so I had to defend myself (sic).”
Police found Simonne’s body wrapped in a blood-soaked duvet, suggesting she had been attacked while still in bed, jurors heard.
Pathologist Dr Robert Chapman gave the cause of Simonne’s death as incised and stab wounds to the neck and face.
At the trial, prosecutor Oliver Glasgow QC said: “Her throat had been slashed and she had been repeatedly stabbed to the right side of her face and her neck.
“Desmond Sylva had used a kitchen knife to inflict more than 70 wounds to her body and, despite her efforts to fight him off, she was clearly powerless to do so.”
The tragic incident sent shockwaves through the nation, leaving Simonne’s family, friends, and fans mourning the loss of a talented performer and compassionate nurse.
Following the news of her death, a Britain’s Got Talent spokesperson gave a statement to the Huffington Post, saying: “We are deeply saddened and shocked to hear that Simonne Kerr has died. Our thoughts and condolences are with Simonne’s family and friends during this difficult and devastating time.”
Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April
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