Britain's Got Talent star Ian Royce dies from pneumonia and organ failure

Britain’s Got Talent star Ian Royce has died.

Ian worked as a warm-up artist for popular ITV shows The X Factor and BGT, as well as working as a stand-up comedian.

His death was announced this evening via a statement on his official Twitter account.

It read: ‘It with our greatest regret that we have to tell you all that Ian has passed away today from severe pneumonia and multiple organ failure.

‘He was in no pain and surrounded by friends and family. He put up a good fight but is in a better place now.’

The entertainer previously candidly opened up about his battle with depression earlier this year, sharing that he had ‘struggled’ and ‘hit rock bottom’ after losing his voice.

His statement read: ‘It’s been a long week, in fact a long year… I’m sat at rock bottom and there is only one way now and that is up… to a light.

Britain’s Got Talent’s hosts, Geordie duo Ant and Dec, have also paid tribute to Royce, calling him ‘an integral part’ of the show.

Posting on their Twitter account, the boys wrote: ‘We are sorry to hear of the passing of Ian “Roycey” Royce.

‘He was an integral part of the Britain’s Got Talent team for many years. Our thoughts are with his beloved Roxy and all his family.

‘RIP Roycey, we’ll never forget you.’

‘Truth is when [you’re] at rock bottom [you’re] surrounded by darkness and so hard to see any light, but I know the light is out there somewhere and I’ll fight to find it again… Fight I will.’

Ian explained: ‘Last year I lost my voice, thus my everything. My living, my personality, my being… My everything, but fight I will to get it back. In fact all of my darkness I want to walk away from.’

Adding that he is grateful for all the support others have shown him recently, Ian said: ‘Thank you to all of you for shining a light in my darkness, it means so very much and I am truly grateful… I truly am… let my climb begin.

‘Come with me… [it’s] easier to climb as a group than alone. Ian xx.’

Last year, Ian announced that he was entering rehab to combat sex addiction.

His stay at the London clinic The Priory was bankrolled by some of the stars of BGT and The X Factor, including Simon Cowell, Ant and Dec and Olly Murs.

This is an updating story.

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