Britain’s Got Talent’s Ian Royce’s funeral fund smashes £5k target as Piers Morgan donates £640

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BRITAIN’S Got Talent fans have donated more than £7,000 to the funeral fund of funnyman Ian Royce.

The 51-year-old who was the beloved warm-up act for many ITV shows, died earlier this month of organ failure.

Britain’s Got Talent hypeman Ian Royce died earlier this month

Ian revealed last year that Ant and Dec and Simon Cowell had paid for him to go to rehab to combat his alcohol addiction.

The hype-man bravely admitted that he was battling alcoholism, with a friend creating a GoFundMe page to raise £20,000 for him to check into rehab facility The Priory to which his celebrity friends contributed a generous amount.

It seems his A-list mates have again dug deep, with Piers Morgan donating £640 to Ian’s funeral fund.

The Good Morning Britain host wrote “RIP Roycey, and thanks for all the laughs” on the GoFundMe page.

The 51-year-old died of organ failure after a long battle with addiction

A funeral fund set up to help his family cover costs smashed its £5,000 target

The fundraising page was set up by his beloved daughter Roxanne who wrote in the description that her dad “was a funny, kind hearted and loved man who felt at home on a stage making everyone laugh”.

“Above all he will be remembered for helping others and being a great dad,” Roxanne continued, explaining the funds will help his family pay for the “funeral and future memorial, with any remaining being shared amongst his favourite charities”.

Roxanne announced her dad’s death on his official Twitter page, writing, “it is 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 was surrounded by friends and family. He put up a good fight but is in a better place now.”

Fans donated more £7,000 at the time of publishing

Ian had last tweeted just one week ago and appeared in high spirits as he challenged Ashley Banjo to a dance off after it was confirmed he’d be stepping in for injured Simon Cowell on the BGT judging panel.

His celeb mates rushed to remember ‘Roycey’ as Piers Morgan fought back tears as he remembered Ian on Good Morning Britain – calling him the “most famous man you haven’t heard of”.

He said: “Very sad news I heard from his daughter Roxanne, probably the most famous person you may not have heard of, but he was famous in the industry.

“He was the best funniest warm up guy there was. Such a thankless task in so many ways. Roycey was the best I’ve ever worked with he did BGT, he did the American one when I went over there. He did almost every one of my Life Story shows.

Ian wrote just weeks before he died ‘I can’t believe I’m still alive’

“He was funny, he had a lot of demons which if you’d followed him on Twitter you will know. But he had a zest for life, he was a hilariously funny guy and he also had a great love for his daughter Roxanne who let me know yesterday.”

The star took to his Instagram page to share a photo of himself and the comic on the set of Life Stories.

Piers wrote at the time: “RIP Ian ‘Roycey’ Royce. Funniest warm-up man in showbiz and a legend in the TV industry.

Any money left over from the funeral fund will go to Ian’ favourite charities

“Worked with him on @BGT @AGT & most of my Life Stories shows. Great guy, very loyal friend, & such a proud dad to his daughter Roxanne.

“Very sad news. Thanks for all the laughs mate.”

Piers Morgan fought back tears as he remembered his friend

He described Ian as the ‘most famous person you’ve never heard of’

Ant and Dec also paid tribute on social media, tweeting Ian’s daughter: “So sorry to hear this news Roxanne, he was a legendary character and will not be forgotten.

“He was always so proud of you too. You are in our thoughts and prayers xx”.

And Rylan Clark-Neal remembered Ian being his “shoulder to cry on” when he was on The X Factor.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.hellofaread.com/britains-got-talent/amanda-holden-goes-braless-on-the-first-chilly-day-of-autumn-as-she-leaves-heart-breakfast/